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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Frostbite hits younger people most often, but it's older adults who end up sicker. A new study found that patients 65+ had nearly 8x higher odds of serious ED outcomes — like hospital admission or transfer — compared to those under 18. Socially exposed patients also faced 3x higher odds, despite making up just 5% of cases.
Frostbite injuries may be most common among young people, but a new study reveals it's older adults and socially vulnerable patients who bear the brunt of serious medical consequences. Analyzing nearly 20 years of US emergency department data (2005–2024), researchers found that 11.3% of frostbite-related ED visits resulted in serious disposition — hospital admission, transfer, or observation — while the rest were discharged.
Patients aged 65 and older had nearly 8x higher odds of serious ED disposition compared to those under 18, and male patients were nearly 3x more likely than females to face serious outcomes. Perhaps most striking: socially exposed patients — a group representing just 5.2% of cases — had the highest rate of serious outcomes at 39.3%.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These findings highlight a critical gap between who gets frostbite and who suffers most from it. Prevention and resource planning need to address not just cold-weather exposure, but also the social conditions — like homelessness — that dramatically increase the risk of severe outcomes.
