Heatwaves Increase Hospital Visits and Cost Israeli Healthcare 380 Million Shekels Over a Decade

A new study by the Taub Center reveals that heatwaves in Israel significantly increase emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to respiratory, cardiovascular, and kidney diseases. The research, covering 2010 to 2023, found that during weeks of high heat stress, measured by a combined temperature and humidity index, there was a marked rise in medical emergencies, with respiratory diseases showing a 41% increase in ER visits, kidney diseases 28%, and cardiovascular diseases 18%. Hospital stays also lengthened with rising heat stress, particularly among women.

Surprisingly, residents of higher socioeconomic areas (ranked 7-10) sought emergency care more frequently during heatwaves than those from lower-ranked areas, possibly due to greater air conditioner use reducing heat adaptation or closer proximity to hospitals in central regions like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Peripheral and lower socioeconomic populations may avoid hospital visits, opting for home care instead.

Geographically, the greatest surge in emergency visits during heatwaves occurred in the Tel Aviv and Central districts, including Jerusalem, especially for respiratory illnesses. The study estimates that a one-unit increase in heat stress leads to approximately 5,500 additional hospital days annually across the diseases examined.

Economically, the rising frequency and intensity of heatwaves, with an average increase of two heat stress units during summer months between 2014 and 2025, is projected to cost Israel's healthcare system around 380 million shekels over ten years, mainly due to longer hospitalizations.

While the data suggests some population adaptation to heatwaves, with slower growth in ER visits from 2018 to 2023 compared to 2010 to 2017, the researchers caution this may also reflect reduced hospital visits. Mortality rates have not increased proportionally with hospitalizations; however, previous studies show each extreme heatwave in Israel causes an average of 45 excess deaths, primarily among vulnerable and elderly populations due to worsening chronic conditions.

This comprehensive study highlights the growing health and economic burdens of climate change-induced heatwaves on Israel’s healthcare system and underscores the need for targeted public health strategies.