Hot weather stresses out lots of people, and sometimes it leads to horrifying and unexpected things.
A new study by Boston University and the University of Washington has revealed a significant link between higher temperatures and increased gun violence across 100 major US cities.
Let's find out more.
The connection between hot weather and violence
Published in JAMA Network Open, the study found that nearly 7% of shootings can be attributed to above-average daily temperatures.
The Northeast and Midwest regions experience the sharpest rise in gun violence on hotter days.
The researchers analyzed data from the Gun Violence Archive, covering over 116,000 shootings between 2015 and 2020.
They discovered that shootings were more likely to occur on days with higher temperatures, even after accounting for seasonal patterns.
While the exact reasons for this connection are complex, it's suggested that heat may contribute to stress and increased interactions that lead to conflict.
Why the study is important
The study underscores the importance of heat adaptation strategies and awareness, particularly in regions with stronger heat-violence associations.
It also highlights the intersection of racial disparities, structural inequities, and environmental factors in gun violence risk.
As climate change continues, understanding and addressing these correlations becomes increasingly urgent.
