As temperatures soar to record levels across the US this week, emergency rooms are preparing for a concerning trend: an increase in the number of patients falling severely ill due to the extreme heat.
A recent study published in the medical journal JAMA reveals a troubling 117% rise in heat-related deaths in the US from 1999 to 2023, with a total of at least 21,518 fatalities during that period. Researchers analyzed data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and noted a steady increase in heat-related deaths since 2016, following fluctuations in previous years.
Dr. Jeffrey Howard, an associate professor of public health at the University of Texas at San Antonio and co-author of the study, expressed concerns about the underreporting of heat-related deaths. He stated, “The fact that you see this trend tells me that there’s probably many more deaths that are we just are unable to measure.”
Experts suggest that the rising awareness of climate change and its impact on human health is contributing to the increase in heat-related deaths over time. Dr. Catharina Giudice, an emergency physician at Harvard University, emphasized the importance of recognizing climate change-related mortality when filling out death certificates.
With projections indicating that over half of the global population will be exposed to dangerous heat for weeks every year by the end of the century, the threat of heat-related illnesses remains a significant concern. Heat is cited as the leading weather-related killer in the US by the World Meteorological Organization, yet it often goes unnoticed compared to more visually dramatic natural disasters like hurricanes.
Heat-related deaths can stem from various causes, including heart and respiratory issues, making certain groups more vulnerable, such as children, the elderly, and those with medical conditions or obesity. Howard highlighted the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to avoid unnecessary heat-related deaths.
Public health experts recommend implementing strategies like planting shade trees, creating cooling shelters, and investing in infrastructure to combat rising temperatures. The study identified a higher number of heat-related deaths in states like California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas, underscoring the importance of proactive planning for extreme heat events.