A new analysis of Centers for Disease Control data reveals a disturbing trend in heat-related deaths in the United States. Between 1999 and 2023, fatalities linked to extreme heat climbed by 117%, claiming over 21,500 lives during this period. The study, published in JAMA, highlights the growing impact of climate change on public health.
The researchers found that while heat-related deaths fluctuated from 1999 to 2016, they have shown a consistent upward trajectory in the past seven years. In 2023, a year that broke numerous climate records and was deemed the hottest in at least 125,000 years, heat-related deaths reached a staggering 2,325.
When adjusted for age, the average mortality rate due to heat increased by 3.6% annually over the 25-year study period. Notably, there was a 1.4% decrease from 1999 to 2016, followed by a sharp 16.8% annual increase from 2016 onwards. The researchers caution that these figures may underestimate the true impact, as heat’s effects are not always documented on death certificates.
The study emphasizes the dangers of extreme heat, which can lead to organ failure and permanent disability when body temperatures exceed 106°F. Vulnerable groups include older adults, isolated individuals, those with limited mobility, infants, children, and pregnant women.
As 2024 is expected to match or surpass 2023’s record temperatures, the trend of heat-related deaths may continue. The researchers stress the importance of expanding access to hydration and public cooling centers, particularly in urban heat islands where poorer residents often lack green spaces that could help mitigate the effects of extreme heat.
See: “Heat-related deaths climbed 117% over 25 years” (August 26, 2024)
