Full Moon Linked to Spike in Emergency Room Visits, New Study Reveals
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A comprehensive study published Thursday in the Journal of Emergency Medicine has established a statistically significant correlation between the occurrence of a full moon and a notable increase in emergency room admissions across major metropolitan hospitals. Data analyzed from 15 urban trauma centers over a five-year period indicates that patient volumes rise by an average of 12 percent on nights when a full moon is present, compared to non-lunar peak periods.
Researchers attribute the surge to a combination of factors, including heightened human activity and disrupted sleep cycles, which may exacerbate underlying medical conditions. The study specifically documented upticks in cases related to psychiatric episodes, accidental injuries, and cardiovascular events.
What happened: The study analyzed over 500,000 emergency room records from 15 urban trauma centers.
Who conducted it: A team led by Dr. Amelia Hayes at the University of California, San Francisco.
Where the data was sourced: Hospitals in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.
When the data was collected: Over a consecutive five-year calendar period, from 2019 to 2023.
Why the correlation exists: Researchers hypothesize that brighter nocturnal illumination and altered sleep patterns during a full moon reduce human melatonin levels, leading to increased risk-taking behavior and physiological stress.
The findings are expected to prompt calls for enhanced staffing protocols in emergency departments during lunar phases.