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Heat and hospitalization risks among people with disabilities in South Korea

Author

Listed:
  • Jinah Park

    (Seoul National University)

  • Ayoung Kim

    (Seoul National University)

  • Ziyad Al-Aly

    (VA Saint Louis Health Care System)

  • Kristi L. Ebi

    (University of Washington)

  • Ho Kim

    (Seoul National University)

  • Whanhee Lee

    (Pusan National University)

Abstract

Heat is known to have harmful impacts on health; however, little is known about its impact on people with disabilities. We evaluate the association between heat and hospitalization through the emergency department among people with and without disabilities. We adopt a case-crossover design using 16 years (2006–2021) of claims data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database. A total of 584,743 admissions are recorded among people with disabilities. The heat risk (odds ratio) is 1.10 (95% confidence interval: 1.08–1.13) in people with disabilities. The relative heat risk between people with and without disabilities is 1.33 (95% confidence interval: 1.29–1.37). Within the population with disabilities, individuals with brain lesion disorders, intellectual and mental disabilities, or living in areas with low-middle population density exhibit higher heat risks than the total people with disabilities. Here, we show evidence of different heat risks between people with and without disabilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinah Park & Ayoung Kim & Ziyad Al-Aly & Kristi L. Ebi & Ho Kim & Whanhee Lee, 2025. "Heat and hospitalization risks among people with disabilities in South Korea," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59270-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59270-8
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