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Thousands of Americans are struggling with the aftermath of recent storms that left them without power for a while. 

While power outages are often perceived as temporary inconveniences, environmental and occupational health sciences assistant professor Dr. Joan Casey emphasized in a report that they can have profound physical and mental health effects. For vulnerable populations relying on medical devices like CPAP machines and oxygen concentrators, extended power outages can become life-threatening.

In a study where Dr. Casey was one of the researchers, it was revealed that power outages lasting eight hours or more significantly impact medically high-risk individuals. Beyond this threshold, the ability of backup power batteries to sustain essential medical devices diminishes, posing a serious health risk.

Hospitalizations and other potential risks

People with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, face challenges during power outages as home nebulizers and elevators may become non-functional. This can lead to increased hospitalizations, as seen during the August 2003 blackout in New York City.

Alternative sources for fuel and heat during power outages, like using a car in a garage, pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Exposure to this colorless, odorless gas at deadly levels can occur during disasters like power outages.

Mental health impacts of power outages

Power outages can induce anxiety and stress and reduce well-being. The uncertainty of access to heat, concerns about food spoilage and potential difficulties in accessing healthcare contribute to heightened emotional distress during these events.

Climate change and future outages

As climate change intensifies, bringing about more extreme weather events, the frequency of power outages may increase. Approximately 83% of major outages from 2000 to 2021 in the U.S. were weather-related. Dr. Casey emphasized the role of climate change in escalating electricity usage, potentially overheating electric grids and causing shutdowns.

To address these challenges, Dr. Casey advocates for societal solutions to combat climate change. These include improving building efficiency to reduce electricity needs and transitioning to more renewable energy sources. Therefore, tackling climate change is a collective responsibility requiring comprehensive, systemic solutions.