Florida’s Red Tide Events Linked to Health Issues
Florida’s hospitals are likely to see an increase in patients during red tide outbreaks, according to a recent study by the University of Florida Health. The research identifies red tide as a direct cause of various illnesses, raising urgent concerns for residents and visitors along the coast.
By analyzing eight years of data from the Gulf Coast, scientists observed consistent patterns between red tide blooms and spikes in respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. This study is among the first to present strong evidence of a causal link, rather than just a correlation, between red tide exposure and human health issues.
“Our research team brought together diverse data sources on red tide and human health, allowing us to show, perhaps for the first time, that there appears to be a causal connection between these phenomena,” said Yi Guo, Ph.D., senior author of the study and associate chair for data science in the UF College of Medicine’s Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics.
About Red Tide
Red tide occurs when algae of the species Karenia brevis bloom at levels that are toxic enough to kill marine wildlife and harm humans. People with asthma or weakened immune systems are particularly at risk due to exposure to contaminated air or seafood.
Study Details
- Data analyzed covered the years 2012 to 2019.
- The study reviewed health records from 137,930 residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
- Approximately 56% of patients in the dataset experienced exposure to red tide.
- Patient data was sourced from the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Network, organized by the University of Florida.
Author’s Summary
Red tide blooms along Florida’s coast are now confirmed as a medical threat, driving measurable increases in hospital visits for respiratory and digestive ailments.