Overview
- An analysis of 4,439 asthma-related ER visits across three Wichita hospitals from 2020 to 2024 found that 14% of cases occurred on just 38 thunderstorm days representing 2% of the period.
- On storm days, the hospitals saw nearly 18 asthma ER visits per day on average compared with about 3 on non-storm days.
- The results were presented at the 2025 American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology meeting in Orlando and remain preliminary, showing correlation rather than proven causation.
- Older age was the only demographic factor linked to a higher likelihood of visiting the ER for asthma during storms, while gender, location, and admission status were not significant.
- Allergists urge storm-specific steps in asthma action plans and hospital surge preparedness, citing plausible mechanisms involving pollen and mold dispersion and plans to analyze local weather and pollen data next.