Extreme Heat Waves Are Overloading Emergency Rooms in Major Cities

Douglas McIntyre, Editor-in-Chief at Climate Crisis 24/7, reports that extreme heat is overwhelming New York City’s emergency rooms. With heat indexes above 100°F for multiple days, vulnerable populations—like the unhoused or those without air conditioning—are suffering from heat stroke and other serious conditions. McIntyre notes that full ERs are delaying treatment for all patients, raising broader concerns about the healthcare system’s ability to respond to escalating climate-related health emergencies.