Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(8), 1099. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081099 Dr. Jason J. Wang et al.
Points
- A retrospective analysis at a stroke center (2012-2021) used the heat vulnerability index (HVI) to assess the impact of neighborhood-level heat vulnerability on the severity of acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
- \The study analyzed 3,429 AIS admissions, finding that 32.8% (1,123 patients) were from high-HVI neighborhoods, with 25.3% of these patients experiencing severe strokes.
- Living in a high-HVI neighborhood was significantly associated with a higher risk of severe stroke, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.40.
- The findings suggest that socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods with higher heat vulnerability are disproportionately affected by severe strokes.
- The study highlights the need for targeted policy interventions to address heat-related health disparities, potentially reducing the incidence of severe strokes in vulnerable populations.
Summary
A retrospective analysis conducted at a comprehensive stroke center from 2012 to 2021 assessed the impact of neighborhood-level heat vulnerability on the severity of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The study utilized the heat vulnerability index (HVI), which gauges the risk of heat-related mortality, to determine its correlation with stroke severity upon admission. Stroke severity was measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), with a score of 10 or higher indicating severe stroke. Data from 3,429 AIS admissions were analyzed, with demographics, socioeconomic status, and clinical characteristics sourced from electronic health records.
The findings revealed that 32.8% of the AIS admissions (1,123 patients) originated from high-HVI neighborhoods (scores between 4 and 5). Among these patients, 25.3% (868 patients) experienced severe strokes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, incorporating stepwise selection, was employed to control for confounding factors and assess the independent effect of HVI on stroke severity. The analysis confirmed that residing in a high-HVI neighborhood was significantly associated with an increased risk of severe stroke, presenting an adjusted odds ratio of 1.40 (95% confidence interval: 1.16–1.69).
The study highlights a crucial link between high neighborhood-level heat vulnerability and increased severity of acute ischemic stroke, suggesting that socioeconomically disadvantaged areas are disproportionately affected. This association underscores the necessity of targeted policy interventions to mitigate heat-related health disparities. Such strategies could play a significant role in reducing the incidence of severe strokes in vulnerable populations, emphasizing the intersection of environmental and health equity issues.
Link to the article: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/8/1099
References Wang, J. J., Katz, J. M., Sanmartin, M. X., Sinvani, L. D., Naidich, J. J., Rula, E. Y., & Sanelli, P. C. (2024). Association between Heat Vulnerability Index and Stroke Severity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(8), 1099. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081099
