Extreme heat linked to spike in domestic violence calls in New Orleans

Extreme heat in New Orleans has been found to have a direct correlation with an increase in domestic violence-related emergency calls, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open and co-authored by Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute.

The research examined over 150,000 domestic violence calls made to the New Orleans Police Department between 2011 and 2021. It was discovered that when the “feels-like” temperatures, taking into account both heat and humidity, remained in the top 10% for five consecutive days, domestic violence calls surged by 7%. In New Orleans, these extreme conditions typically translate to sustained feels-like temperatures of 93 to 100 degrees or higher.

The study estimated that approximately 245 fewer calls would have been made during the study period if such extreme heat conditions were not present.

Anita Raj, the executive director of the Newcomb Institute and senior author of the study, emphasized that extreme heat is not just a weather issue but a public health and safety concern. She highlighted the importance of incorporating heat preparedness into violence prevention strategies.

The majority of the calls analyzed were related to domestic disturbances, accounting for about 70% of the total, with simple battery incidents making up an additional 22%. The researchers utilized a climate index that better reflects the physiological strain heat places on the human body rather than simply focusing on air temperature.

While previous studies have indicated a rise in violence during periods of extreme heat, this study is the first to establish a direct link between prolonged high heat and domestic violence emergency calls in New Orleans.

The authors of the study suggest that the city should integrate domestic violence prevention into its heat wave response plans, enhance support for survivors during extreme weather events, and improve the categorization of 911 calls to better monitor trends.

Lead author Arnab Dey, a scientist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, emphasized that recognizing the connection between extreme heat and domestic violence can help shape more responsive public policies.

In addition to researchers from Tulane University, the study’s co-authors included experts from the Irset–Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail at the University of Rennes in France and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

For more information, the study titled “Extreme heat and calls for service related to domestic violence in New Orleans” can be found in JAMA Network Open (2025) with DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.30530.

This groundbreaking research sheds light on the impact of extreme heat on domestic violence incidents and underscores the importance of addressing this issue in public health and safety policies.