Delaney uses large-scale data and computing to reveal how extreme heat raises hospitalization risks for vulnerable groups, especially those with Alzheimer’s.

A recent study  used 3.3 million Medicare claims and daily temperature data to explore how extreme heat affects adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Researchers found that just one day of extreme heat can increase hospitalization risk for up to three additional days, potentially leading to over 5,000 extra hospitalizations nationwide per day of extreme heat. The study highlights how ADRD impairs thermoregulation and decision-making, making affected individuals more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. This research, powered by large-scale data analysis and computing, underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient public health strategies and targeted support for vulnerable populations as global temperatures rise.