Heat is a leading cause of climate-related deaths in the United States, but the exact number of heat-related fatalities is unclear. The Centers for Disease Control reported about 2,300 heat-related deaths last year, with a majority occurring in six states including California. However, a study from Texas A&M suggests the actual number could be four times higher, with around 11,000 Americans dying from extreme heat in the same period.
A pilot program in California is working on developing a revamped heat warning system to provide communities with timely information on emergency room visits and other relevant data. This initiative aims to improve understanding of how extreme heat impacts individuals in real-time, enabling the implementation of immediate heat protocols to protect vulnerable populations at home, school, and work.
Efforts are already underway in communities across the country to combat heat, such as planting more trees, improving mechanical cooling systems, and establishing cooling centers. New research led by Jennifer Vanos from Arizona State University explores how individual physiology affects one’s response to temperature and humidity.
Professor V. Kelly Turner from UCLA envisions a future where personalized weather apps provide detailed guidance on outdoor activities based on personal health data. This could benefit outdoor workers in industries like construction and agriculture by informing them of safe working conditions and guiding policy decisions to support their well-being.
California has already implemented Heat Action Plans, with initiatives like the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program offering grants for community cooling strategies. UCLA’s Center for Heat Resilient Communities aims to facilitate the collaboration of experts nationwide to create a blueprint for heat-resilient communities and help them prepare for extreme heat events. The program will be field-testing with 30 communities over the next three years to develop actionable plans.
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