A new cross-sectional study finds extreme temperatures are linked to higher rates of missed pediatric preventive care visits, highlighting a growing health threat tied to the climate crisis.
Researchers analyzed over 4 million scheduled preventive care visits in the US over 15 years. The study included more than 500,000 patients, average age 6. Overall, 13% of appointments were missed.
Each 1°F drop below 41.5°F in cold months, and each 1°F rise above 88°F in warm months, was associated with about a 1% increase in missed visits. Missed appointments were higher among publicly insured children and those from lower-income neighborhoods, likely due to transportation challenges in extreme weather.
Interestingly, in very cold weather, commercially insured children and those from higher-income communities had the highest missed visit rates. Researchers suggest families in higher-opportunity areas may have more flexibility to reschedule.
With global temperatures expected to rise 2.7 to 7.9°F by century's end, the findings point to a need for alternative care delivery during extreme temperatures. Options include telehealth, transport assistance in severe weather, and weather-monitoring systems to trigger patient outreach.