IJR News — today's news from every sideIJRGas Industry Says Heating Costs Will Fall 14% This Winter As Another Forecast Warns Of An IncreaseSimon August · 6 min · 18h
Heat Drives Busier Chicago ER Visits, Study FindsHealth — Aug 26, 2026A Northwestern University study analyzing 916,404 Chicago ER and urgent-care visits from 2011 to 2023 found that on hot days (92.6°F/33.7°C or higher) there are increases across more than a dozen health categories, including accidental gunshot wounds, kidney problems, skin issues, varicose veins, and marijuana-related mental-health effects, with some injuries rising more than 30-fold. Experts caution that while the study shows associations rather than proven causation, it underscores how extreme heat can elevate morbidity and strain health systems, particularly in urban settings, and calls for broader surveillance beyond preselected diagnoses.
