1. "July 2023: Earth’s Hottest Month on Record"
2. "The Deadly Impact of Extreme Heat on Human Health"
3. "President Biden Takes Action to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat"
4. "Who’s at Risk? Understanding Vulnerable Populations in Extreme Heat"
5. "Solutions to Combat the Rising Threat of Extreme Heat"
6. "Research Roundup: Exploring the Impact of Extreme Heat on Health"

July 2023 has been officially declared as the Earth’s hottest month on record, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, a program of the European Union. This alarming news comes as extreme heat continues to impact various aspects of society, from infrastructure to human health.

Extreme heat not only strains water, energy, and transportation infrastructure, but it also affects crops, livestock, and most importantly, human health. Many people do not take heat warnings seriously, as highlighted in a 2007 telephone survey of 908 people in North America published in the International Journal of Biometeorology. However, studies show that extreme heat can affect most people, especially vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and outdoor workers.

Dr. Catharina Giudice, a practicing emergency physician and Climate and Human Health Fellow at Harvard University’s Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment, emphasizes that human-caused climate change is leading to an increase in average temperatures globally. Heat waves are becoming longer, more frequent, and more severe, impacting the health of communities that are not accustomed to such extreme heat.

In the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that during the first seven months of 2023, there were 15 separate weather and climate disasters with costs exceeding $1 billion. The devastating August wildfire in Maui, Hawaii, has been declared the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century, with an estimated cost of nearly $10 billion.

Heat-related deaths are a significant concern in the U.S., with heat being the leading cause of weather-related deaths, surpassing hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Between 2004 and 2018, an average of 702 heat-related deaths occurred in the U.S. each year, according to a 2020 study in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

President Biden recently asked the Department of Labor to issue the first-ever Hazard Alert for heat to protect workers, including farmworkers, firefighters, and construction workers, from the dangers of extreme heat. Since 2011, more than 400 workers have died due to heat exposure, according to the White House.

Certain populations are at a higher risk of heat-related illnesses, including children, older adults, outdoor workers, pregnant individuals, people with chronic diseases, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and incarcerated individuals. People of color, especially American Indian and Alaska Natives, and Black individuals have higher rates of heat-related deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To address the challenges posed by extreme heat, Dr. Giudice emphasizes the importance of cutting carbon emissions and adapting to the changing climate at individual, community, and national levels. It is crucial for individuals to have a plan in place for dealing with extreme heat, including seeking out cooling shelters and checking on vulnerable neighbors, friends, and family members.

In conclusion, the impact of extreme heat on human health is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action. As temperatures continue to rise, it is essential for individuals, communities, and governments to work together to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect vulnerable populations from the dangers of extreme heat.