What does this research mean for the field?

Occupational heat-related illness risk increases significantly with higher apparent temperatures, with workers experiencing a higher incidence rate ratio compared to non-occupational cases. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to investigate the relationship between apparent temperature and heat-related illness risk among different occupational groups.

March 14, 2026Open Access

Consistently higher and steeper apparent temperature–heat-related illness risk among occupational cases in Korea: evidence from national emergency department surveillance

MPMin Soo ParkInje University BKBoowook KimInje University

Key Points

This research aims to investigate the relationship between apparent temperature and heat-related illness risk among different occupational groups.
Linked national emergency department surveillance data with daily national mean apparent temperature from 2015 to 2024.
Summarized bin-wise mean daily counts of heat-related illnesses.
Estimated bin-specific incidence rate ratios using Poisson regression.
Heat-related illness increased non-linearly with apparent temperature for both occupational and non-occupational groups.
Occupational incidence rate ratios were higher at warmer temperatures: 37.07 for workers at 31 °C compared to 23.86 for non-workers.
At 33 °C, the ratios were 104.75 for workers versus 72.25 for non-workers; at 34 °C, they were 167.22 for workers versus 141.06 for non-workers.

Abstract

Background Heat-related illness (HRI) is increasing under climate change, particularly in humid regions. While heat alerts increasingly rely on apparent temperature (AT), evidence linking AT conditions to differential HRI risk by occupational status remains limited. Methods We linked national emergency department (ED)-based HRI surveillance with daily national mean AT for June–September 2015–2024. We summarized bin-wise mean daily counts and estimated bin-specific incidence rate ratios (IRRs; reference = 24 °C) using Poisson regression. Results HRI increased non-linearly with AT in both groups, and occupational IRRs tended to be higher than non-occupational IRRs at warmer bins. At 31 °C, occupational IRR was 37.07 vs. 23.86 for non-occupational; at 33 °C, 104.75 vs. 72.25; and at 34 °C, 167.22 vs. 141.06. Conclusion Workers may experience higher HRI risk under rising AT, underscoring the need for worker-centered prevention and heat-risk communication in humid climates.

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