Hess and Ebi Quoted in The New York Times Article About Extreme Heat and Related Health Risks
Posted: 7/25/2024 (CSDE Research)
Summer 2024 has seen high temperatures and heat waves across the country. Sunday to Tuesday of the week of July 21st were the three hottest days on record. According to the New York Times Article, Heat-Related Emergencies Are Soaring in the U.S. Can Hospitals Keep Up?, these high temperatures caused heat-related emergencies. Preliminary estimates indicate the deaths of more than 100 people in western U.S. states, a number that will increase as death certificates become available. In 2023, around 2,300 people died in the U.S. due to heat-related illnesses. One part of the problem, beside the extreme heat, is that many hospitals are not prepared or have the guidance to deal with these types of afflictions. CSDE Affiliate Jeremy Hess states that routine check-ups devoted to medication and weight management don’t take into account how someone may react to extreme heat and how it could impact their health. Dr. Hess says that this requires screening tools and more time, but the healthcare system is not there yet. Expert on the health risks of extreme heat and UW Professor Dr. Kristie Ebi states that about 50% of deaths caused by heat waves are due to cardiovascular causes. The article discusses the increase in temperature, cause and effect of related health risks, what the medical field is currently equipped with and what they need more of to target and treat these issues, and more.