As sweltering temperatures envelop much of the United States, hospitals in multiple states are reporting a significant uptick in heat-related emergencies, despite some areas not experiencing extreme heat, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Forecasters predict more abnormally warm weather to follow later this summer.
The CDC’s findings reveal that regions hit hardest by heat illnesses are not necessarily those with the highest temperatures. While the South and Southwest have seen temperatures surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit, states in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Mountain West have recorded the highest numbers of heat-related emergency room visits, despite temperatures ranging in the 80s and 90s. This heat, unusual for mid-June, exceeds historical averages.
CDC health scientist Claudia Brown attributes this disparity to inadequate infrastructure in northern regions, where air conditioning prevalence is lower compared to hotter climates like Arizona. “So you may not have as high of temperatures as you have in, say, Arizona, but you have a higher health impact because they don’t have, necessarily, the infrastructure in place to deal with that heat,” Brown explained.
In response to escalating heat concerns, the CDC launched a new heat risk tool earlier this year, enabling individuals to access heat forecasts and safety recommendations by ZIP code.
Dr. Cheyenne Falat, from the University of Maryland’s emergency department, highlighted Baltimore’s response to a recent heat alert, including the opening of cooling stations. She noted an increase in severe cases of heat stroke and related illnesses among vulnerable populations.
Dr. William Brady, working at the University of Virginia Health System, echoed concerns about the rising cases of heat exhaustion and emphasized the need for public awareness and preparedness in regions less accustomed to high temperatures.
With climate change intensifying heat waves, experts stress the importance of adapting to these new challenges, as heat-related illnesses pose a growing threat to public health across the United States.
