The wildfires in Los Angeles in January 2025 prompted evacuations and a severe decline in air quality due to toxic smoke. Hospitals expected to see many patients, but actual visits were lower than anticipated. However, a new study revealed significant increases in virtual health care utilization during this crisis.
Researchers examined health data from Kaiser Permanente members and found a large rise in virtual visits, especially for respiratory and cardiovascular issues. The study suggested that people were more likely to seek online care during emergencies. Alongside the rise in respiratory visits, the data also showed increases in virtual visits for injuries and mental health concerns.
This research indicates a need for health care systems to focus on enhancing virtual health services in preparation for future climate-related emergencies, as many individuals may prefer to seek care online while dealing with crises.
Difficult words
- evacuation — moving people away from dangerevacuations
- utilization — the act of using something effectively
- respiratory — related to breathing or lungs
- cardiovascular — related to the heart and blood vessels
- crisis — a time of severe difficulty or danger
- indicate — to show or point out somethingindicates
- enhance — to improve or make betterenhancing
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How do you think virtual health care can benefit people during emergencies?
- What other measures can health care systems take to prepare for crises?
- Why do you believe people may prefer online care during emergencies?
- What challenges might arise from relying on virtual health services?
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