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Ontario AC Law Proves Lifesaving in Care Homes
19 Dec
Summary
- Air conditioning mandate in Ontario LTC rooms saved lives.
- Residents without AC had 8% higher death risk in heat.
- Policy change averted an estimated 33 resident deaths.
A crucial Ontario law requiring air conditioning in all long-term care resident rooms has significantly reduced heat-related deaths. A two-year study analyzing over 73,000 deaths revealed that residents in rooms without AC experienced an eight percent greater chance of dying on extreme heat days. This policy, enacted in 2021 and fully implemented by June 2022, is credited with saving dozens of lives.
The simulation based on 13 years of data indicated that the air conditioning mandate averted an estimated 33 resident deaths between 2020 and 2023. The provincial investment of $200 million underscores the life-saving return on investment, especially as climate change leads to more frequent heat events. This measure became critical during the pandemic when residents were confined to their rooms.
Experts are advocating for similar national standards, highlighting that Ontario's approach serves as a valuable model. The study focused on the most severe outcome, not including hospital visits or emergency department admissions. Ongoing provincial inspections and sanctions aim to ensure continued compliance with the cooling regulations.
