Can Medical Dramas Save Lives?

The Impact of Depictions of Extreme Heat in Grey's Anatomy

  • Dr. Anirudh Tiwathia
  • Dr. Erik Thulin
  • Dr. Samira Dodson
  • Ellis Watamanuk
  • Sania Ashraf
September 10, 2025

Key Takeaways

  • Medical dramas like Grey’s Anatomy can effectively engage and inform audiences about the health risks posed by our changing climate.
  • Watching a heat wave storyline boosted knowledge of health risks, perceptions of heat wave severity, and support for adaptation measures.
  • Audiences strongly approved of integrating real-world climate and health impacts into storylines, saying it enhanced the show’s realism, relevance, and overall entertainment value.