Rising Temperatures Correlate with Increased Domestic Violence in New Orleans

Recent research from Tulane University highlights a concerning link between extreme heat and a surge in domestic violence emergency calls in New Orleans. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed over 150,000 reports of domestic violence calls made to the city's police from 2011 to 2021. Findings indicate that during prolonged periods of high temperatures—specifically when ‘feels-like’ temperatures, which account for humidity and heat stress, stay in the top 10% for at least five consecutive days—there is a noticeable increase of approximately 7% in domestic violence-related emergency calls. In practical terms, these conditions often correspond to sustained temperatures of 93 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

The researchers estimate that if such extreme heat events were absent during the study period, around 245 fewer domestic violence calls would have been recorded. This underscores that extreme heat poses significant public health risks beyond dehydration and heatstroke, affecting human relationships and safety. Domestic disturbances accounted for about 70% of the calls analyzed, with simple battery incidents making up around 22%. The study utilized a climate index that better captures the stress heat imposes on the human body, rather than just relying on air temperature measurements.

While previous studies have shown violence tends to escalate during hot weather, this is the first research to establish a direct connection specifically between sustained high heat and increases in domestic violence calls in New Orleans. The authors recommend that the city incorporate domestic violence prevention strategies into its heat response plans. They also advocate for expanding support systems for victims during extreme weather events and improving the categorization of 911 calls to better understand these trends.

"Extreme heat affects not just infrastructure but also human relationships," stated Anita Raj, executive director of the Newcomb Institute. "Recognizing this link can help in developing more effective public policies for violence prevention."

The research team also included experts from the Irset–Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail at the University of Rennes, France, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.