Description
Heat waves have serious health impacts such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, and death. Heat illness morbidity and mortality can be reduced with the identification of vulnerable populations and targeted public health interventions. In June and July of 2011, a heat wave occurred in Nebraska in which 28 days reached 90 degrees F or higher. Syndromic surveillance data were used to describe heat-related illness emergency department (ED) visits during this time.
Objective
The purpose of this study was to develop methodology to accurately identify and track heat illness in a timely manner using syndromic surveillance data.