Exploring neighbourhood racial and socioeconomic heterogeneity in the short-term effects of air pollution and extreme heat on medical emergencies

Author: Karl Vachuska

Year: 2025

Published in: The Journal of Climate Change and Health

This study explores how air pollution and extreme heat influence short-term health outcomes across different communities in the U.S. Using two-way fixed-effects models, the research finds that poor air quality disproportionately increases medical emergencies in poor, non-White neighborhoods, while affluent White communities are less affected. Extreme heat raises medical emergencies overall, particularly in low-income areas, though racial disparities are less prominent. The findings underscore the importance of developing equitable climate change mitigation and public health strategies that prioritize vulnerable populations facing heightened risks from both heat and air pollution.