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The following is a summary of “Use of emergency services in response to a flood: an account of the aftermath of the May 2023 flood in Romagna, Italy,” published in the December 2024 issue of Emergency Medicine by Portoraro et al. 

Human-induced climate change has exacerbated the frequency and intensity of hydrological disasters like floods, posing significant threats to global human health and healthcare systems.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to analyze emergency service utilization during the May 2023 flood in Romagna, Italy, focusing on differences in emergency department (ED) visits and mortality between individuals exposed and not exposed to the flood.  

They included 8,13,724 residents of Romagna, Italy, from 15 May to 31 August 2023 (i.e., 14 weeks after flood inception). Participants were classified as exposed or unexposed based on residence in flood-affected or unaffected areas, overall, ED visit rates were examined by disease category, as well as hospitalisation odds and mortality rates. Data were analyzed using multivariate regression models, with adjustments for demographics, comorbidities, and social vulnerability assessed through the Deprivation Index.  

The results showed 8,13,724 individuals were studied, 5,86,437 were exposed to the flood, and 2,27,287 were not. The ED visits totaled 33,331 for the exposed group and 13,185 for the unexposed group. At least 1 ED visit occurred in 27,527 individuals (4.7%) in the exposed group and 10,829 individuals (4.8%) in the unexposed group [OR] 0.98; 95% [CI] 0.96 to 1.01). Severe triage scores and hospitalisation rates following ED visits were higher among the exposed, ED admissions were lower for ophthalmology diseases (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.77 to 0.92) and general disorders or minor problems (OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.93) but higher for trauma (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.36) and mental health disorders (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.75). The risk of death was slightly elevated in the exposed group during subsequent weeks (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.19).  

Investigators concluded the May 2023 flood in Romagna highlighted increased vulnerability among the directly affected population, evidenced by higher acuity ED  presentations, increased hospitalizations, and a greater number of visits for trauma and mental health concerns. 

Source: emj.bmj.com/content/early/2024/12/13/emermed-2024-214176