Medical notes

The Oklahoma Health Center Foundation announced five Oklahomans as its 2013 Treasures For Tomorrow honorees. A civic leader who has dedicated himself to Oklahoma City, a couple devoted to education, and a couple deeply involved with community volunteerism will be honored at the 14th Treasures For Tomorrow celebration scheduled April 10 at the Petroleum Club in Oklahoma City. The 2013 Treasures are Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, Douglas R. and Peggy Cummings and Rick and Jenny Dunning. The evening starts at 6:30 p.m. with a reception followed by the awards dinner. The Jean I. Everest Foundation is the presenting sponsor. The Treasures For Tomorrow honor pays tribute to individuals whose passion for life, courage and inspiring actions serve as a model for quality values and goodness in our community.

Outdoor heat increases risk

of hospitalization in elderly

Outdoor heat is associated with a significantly increased risk of emergency hospitalization for respiratory disorders in the elderly, according to a large epidemiological study of more than 12.5 million Medicare beneficiaries. The recent study included 213 urban counties throughout the United States and more than 30 percent of the U.S. population aged 65 or older.

On average, respiratory hospitalizations increased 4.3 percent for each 10 degree Fahrenheit increase in daily mean summer temperature. This association was strongest on the day of exposure to heat and remained elevated the day following exposure. Each 10 degree Fahrenheit increase in daily temperature translates to about 30 excess respiratory hospitalizations per day among the elderly in the 213 counties studied, with larger increases in temperature expected to result in more excess hospitalizations.