A study of deaths during British Columbia’s 2021 heat dome found that people with schizophrenia faced a far higher heat-related mortality risk than those with other medical conditions. The finding matters because it highlights a largely overlooked group for heatwave warnings, outreach and access to cooling as extreme heat becomes more frequent.

Researchers examined provincial health records after more than 600 people died during several days of record temperatures above 40°C. Death risk for people with schizophrenia rose by about 200% compared with typical summers; possible contributors include impaired temperature regulation, medication effects, coexisting illnesses, isolation and homelessness.