B.C. heat dome tripled death risk for people with schizophrenia
Posted March 19, 2023 3:08 pm.
A new study from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) shows people with schizophrenia were at a high risk of dying during the 2021 heat dome.
The study, published in GeoHealth says people with schizophrenia were three times more at risk than those without.
The summer of 2021 saw parts of B.C. hit record temperatures for extended periods of time. Temperatures began to rise on Jun. 24, and continued to rise until peaking Jun. 29.
Peak temperatures went over 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the province, with overnight temperatures staying unusually high.
The study compared the amount of deaths — specifically 26 deaths among those with chronic conditions — during 2021’s extreme heat event with those on the same dates in the years 2012 to 2020.
According to the BCCDC, there were a total of 740 “excess deaths” during 2021’s extreme heat event, which makes it one of the deadliest weather events in Canada’s history.
The B.C. Coroners Service says it investigated over 800 deaths in that time, with 619 ultimately being deemed as “heat-related.”
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“Most of the deceased were older adults with compromised health due to multiple chronic diseases and who lived alone,” reads a report to the Chief Coroner of B.C.
The B.C. Schizophrenia Society’s Faydra Aldridge says learning to “recognize symptoms of heat-related illness and take emergency cooling measures” can help our preparedness when we see extreme heat events in the future.
“As demonstrated by the recent research, because individuals living with schizophrenia are more susceptible to heat-related illness, it is essential that families and caregivers are aware of the increased risk, identify potential risk factors and take prompt action to help their loved one during a heat wave,” she said.
The BCCDC says schizophrenia may also lead to social isolation, which is a risk factor for death during extreme hot weather.
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Michael Lee, an epidemiologist at the BCCDC and one of the authors behind the study, says climate change has a real impact on our health.
“This study was conducted to understand who is most at risk, so we can prepare for future heat events, which will be more frequent and more severe in the coming decades because of climate change,” he said.
Lee further notes we can help limit climate change-related impacts when we know what they are and how to prepare.
The BCCDC adds it is working with health groups across the province to prepare for future extreme heat events.
With files from David Nadalini
