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HomeHealth & ClimateThe ongoing increase in extreme heat and its impact on health disparities

The ongoing increase in extreme heat and its impact on health disparities

“Rising Temperatures, Extreme Heat, and Health Disparities: The Urgent Need for Action”

Climate change-related extreme heat events have become more severe and frequent in recent years, with Summer 2023 experiencing some of the worst conditions and impacts. Across the globe and the U.S., there has been a rise in extreme heat events and air quality issues. June 2023 was recorded as the hottest June on record globally, with smoke from wildfires in Canada causing significant air pollution affecting over 60 million people in the U.S. In August, wildfires in Hawai’i resulted in the largest loss of life due to wildfires in modern U.S. history.

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events are linked to adverse health outcomes, with people of color and underserved communities disproportionately affected. Nearly a quarter of the U.S. population is socially vulnerable to extreme heat exposure, leading to heat-related deaths surpassing those from any other weather phenomenon. The cost of heat events in the U.S. amounts to approximately $1 billion in excess healthcare costs annually.

Historically marginalized groups face higher risks of heat-related mortality, with communities of color and noncitizens more likely to die from heat exposure. Factors such as residential segregation, urban heat island intensity, and lack of access to air conditioning contribute to increased exposure to extreme heat and subsequent health issues. The Southern U.S. and some areas in the Northeast and Midwest have seen the greatest increases in heat wave days, impacting communities with higher shares of people of color.

Limited access to air conditioning further exacerbates the disproportionate exposure to extreme heat, with low-income households and incarcerated populations facing affordability challenges and health risks. Workers in outdoor and hot environments, including construction and agricultural workers, are at higher risk of heat-related illnesses and exertion-related injuries. Despite recommendations for heat stress prevention, there are no national standards in place to protect workers from extreme heat exposure.

Efforts to mitigate heat exposure and reduce health risks are crucial, with the Biden Administration launching initiatives to increase awareness and understanding of heat-related health risks. The newly established Office of Climate Change and Health Equity aims to address the impact of climate change on health and develop tools to track heat-related illnesses. Education, community resilience, and climate-resilient strategies are essential to protect vulnerable populations from the negative health impacts of extreme heat.

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