Climate change is impacting primary care appointments with rising temperatures leading to missed visits, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.
- Increasing temperature extremes due to climate change are linked to higher rates of missed primary care appointments.
- For every 1°F decrease below 39°F and every 1°F increase above 89°F, missed appointment rates increased.
- Telemedicine has been associated with lower odds of missed appointments and is recommended as an option for patient care access.
- Climate change poses a threat to patients with chronic health conditions, requiring special attention and vigilance.
- Studies are needed to evaluate how transportation access influences missed appointment rates and to address factors contributing to missed appointments.
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Public Health & Prevention, Preventive Medicine, Environmental Health, Infectious Diseases.