In a difference-in-differences analysis among Medicare beneficiaries in the USA, billion-dollar weather disasters were associated with higher rates of emergency department visits and deaths in the weeks after the disaster. Observed changes were more pronounced among counties that experienced the most loss and damage compared to all affected counties.
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This is a summary of: Salas, R. N. et al. Impact of extreme weather events on healthcare utilization and mortality in the United States. Nat. Med. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02833-x (2024).
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Extreme weather events have lasting impacts on risk of death and healthcare utilization. Nat Med 30, 954–955 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02868-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02868-0
