When the power goes out and stays off for hours, the result can be more than just a hassle — for millions of Americans who rely on medical equipment, losing electricity can become a medical emergency.
Studies following major blackouts show an increase in disease-related deaths, including a 25% rise during a three-day blackout in New York City in August 2003. Emergency rooms can become overwhelmed with device users seeking backup power and medical care.
But not everyone with a medical device faces the same risks during a power outage. In a new study, Katherine Asmussen, research assistant professor in transportation engineering, and co-author Matthew Dean (University of California, Irvine) show which groups need the most help and who is slipping through the cracks in life-threatening ways. Read more at The Conversation.
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