Strong Links Found for Nighttime Heat Wave Definitions and Asthma Exacerbations

Follow Drugslib on

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, Senior Medical Editor, B. Pharm. Last updated on May 13, 2026.

via HealthDay

WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2026 -- Extreme heat is associated with asthma exacerbations, with strong associations between exacerbations and nighttime heat wave definitions, according to a study published online May 6 in GeoHealth.

Bianca Corpuz, from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues examined the association between heat wave definitions and summertime asthma-related emergency department visits in Baltimore from 2016 to 2022. Data were included for 819 adult and 695 pediatric exacerbations. A case-crossover design was applied using geocoded electronic health records and air temperature measurements at several spatial resolutions.

The researchers identified strong associations between asthma exacerbations and nighttime heat wave definitions based on relative thresholds of minimum temperatures with use of census block group or tract-level temperature estimates. Significant relationships were seen for both age groups; in socially vulnerable areas, risks were elevated. The researchers noted that associations between asthma and daytime heat extremes identified using heat wave definitions derived from the city's primary National Weather Service synoptic weather station suggest that the character of the heat hazard depends on the scale used for its definition. No significant association with exacerbations was seen for the extreme heat event definition used by Baltimore City's Code Red system, which relies on daytime heat indices.

"Heat exposure can vary drastically from one neighborhood to the next, and those differences matter for health," Corpuz said in a statement. "When we measure temperature at the neighborhood scale, we can see patterns that aren’t captured by regional weather data. That kind of local information is critical if cities want to better protect vulnerable communities."

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2026-05-14 02:49

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords