Extreme Heat

Heat and Emergency Department Visits: Findings from CHART’s Research Project Core    This webinar was held on March 31, 2026  Access the recording of the session HERE  On-demand evaluation survey  Description: Heat waves, particularly in urban environments within cities, are increasing in frequency, intensity, and severity as summer temperatures continue to rise. Specific populations are particularly at risk. In CHART, we are identifying factors that affect health outcomes related to heat, particularly health conditions that affect heat-sensitivity…

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported on the CHART study loooking at Atlantans’ exposure to heat and air pollution, in a time of hotter weather. Read the full article here.  As the planet warms because of human-caused climate change, studies have found metro Atlanta is experiencing more extreme heat. But exactly how hot it actually feels depends on where you are in the city. Blocks shaded by trees are cooler than ones…

The CHART Community Engagement Core (CEC), guided by its Partner Steering Committee, has selected three outstanding projects for the 2025-2026 CHART Community Grant. On our second year of this project we received applications from dedicated groups across the Atlanta metro area, all focused on addressing climate-related challenges, particularly those related to heat.  Each year, CHART’s CEC invites Atlanta residents to propose innovative projects aimed at mitigating climate and heat impacts in…

CHART investigators have published the article “ Case-crossover assessment of the modifying effects of home medication use on acute kidney-related morbidity due to elevated ambient heat exposure in Atlanta, GA, from 2013 to 2019“. The article focuses on how elevated ambient temperatures increase the risk for acute kidney-related morbidity, and medication use may increase vulnerability to heat exposure. This study examines whether medication use, and combination medication use (ie, polypharmacy), modifies…

CHART investigators have published the article “Estimating the Association Between Outdoor Temperature and Acute Kidney Injury Using Alternative Case Definitions”, which describes the study aimed to improve estimates of the association between acute kidney injury (AKI) and ambient heat exposure through better case ascertainment and by isolating community-acquired AKI. Rabin B, D’Souza R, Weil EJ, Chang HH, Ebelt S, Scovronick N. Estimating the Association Between Outdoor Temperature and Acute Kidney…

  This webinar was held on May 22, 2025 Access the recording of the session HERE On-demand evaluation survey Attendees will be eligible for 1 CNE credit Description: As summertime approaches, it is important to recognize how the human body naturally regulates heat, as well as the impact that medication use has on disrupting that regulation. This webinar will address drugs and mechanisms that increase risk of heat-related illnesses and…

  Heat and Health Disparities: Addressing Barriers in Underserved Communities This webinar was held on January 14, 2025 Access the recording of the session HERE *This enduring material is eligible for Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits! The built environment can play a large role in a person’s exposure to heat, as well as other manmade and climate change-related health hazards. This webinar will dive into the concept of health disparities…

Abstract:  Heterogeneity in temperature-mortality relationships across locations may partly result from differences in the demographic structure of populations and their cause-specific vulnerabilities. Here we conduct the largest epidemiological study to date on the association between ambient temperature and mortality by age and cause using data from 532 cities in 33 countries. We collected daily temperature and mortality data from each country. Mortality data was provided as daily death counts within…

***Now eligible for Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits!  Pregnancy can increase the risk of a woman and her fetus being negatively impacted by environmental exposures. This webinar will discuss current research on how high ambient temperatures may influence pregnancy outcomes, highlighting emerging epidemiologic evidence and current knowledge gaps. The webinar will also utilize data and professional clinical experience to show how obstetricians and other clinicians working with pregnant patients can…

The CHART Community Engagement Core (CEC), guided by its Partner Steering Committee, has selected three outstanding projects for the 2024-2025 CHART Community Grant. This year, we received six applications from dedicated groups across the Atlanta metro area, all focused on addressing climate-related challenges, particularly those related to heat.  Each year, CHART’s CEC invites Atlanta residents to propose innovative projects aimed at mitigating climate and heat impacts in their neighborhoods. Applicants…

***Now eligible for Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits!  As summer temperatures continue to rise, health professionals must be prepared to prevent and treat illness due to extreme heat. This webinar highlighted how health and non-health factors contribute to variability in individual risk of heat related illnesses, and presented the new CDC Heat & Health Tracker, as well as key screening materials, heat action plans, and heat and medication guidance for…

Emory University researchers of the Climate and Health Actionable Research and Translation (CHART) Center are conducting a study to learn about people’s exposure to heat and air pollution in Atlanta. We are looking for adults who live in Atlanta to participate in the study. Interested in participating? See the flyer below for more information or go here.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported on extreme heat in Georgia, interviewing CHART experts and mentioning the new Rollins School of Public Health climate and health indicator dashboard. Read the full article here.  Heat-related illnesses and fatalities result when the body’s ability to cool itself is overwhelmed by high temperatures, causing a dangerous increase in body heat that can harm vital organs, including the brain. Noah Scovronick, an environmental health scientist,…