Rising Heat and Public Health Alerts

Summary:
As extreme heat becomes more prevalent, Idaho’s health department has started to rapidly inform the public about heat-related deaths, a departure from their usual practice of only announcing seasonal rabies or flu deaths. Last year was the hottest on record, with 2024 potentially being even hotter. Extreme temperatures are linked to increased mortality from cardiovascular issues, chronic kidney disease, and respiratory failure, among other conditions. However, accurately tracking heat-related deaths is challenging due to inadequate national data and the complex nature of attributing deaths to heat. The CDC’s provisional data shows a rise in heat-related deaths from 1,563 in 2021 to 2,297 in 2023. Local efforts, like those in Maricopa County, Ariz., aim to improve tracking, but national estimates often rely on "excess deaths" models. These models compare typical death rates to those during heat waves. Experts emphasize that better data is crucial for effective public health responses and communication. Idaho’s state epidemiologist Christine Hahn stresses the importance of public awareness, noting that many heat-related deaths are preventable.