Arizona tracks heat deaths to understand climate’s toll
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In Pima County, Arizona, Medical Examiner Greg Hess is leading efforts to more accurately count deaths related to extreme heat.
Hess noticed an increase in deaths during hot months and developed strategies to identify heat as a contributing factor, even when it isn't the primary cause listed on death certificates.
Traditionally, only deaths directly from heatstroke were counted, but Hess’s team now investigates contextual clues, like high temperatures at the time and location of death, to determine if heat exacerbated existing conditions. This approach aims to provide a more complete understanding of the human cost of climate change, which is currently underestimated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates around 1,200 heat-related deaths annually, but experts believe the true number is closer to 10,000.
Accurate data is crucial for effective prevention, such as determining where to place cooling centers and how to protect vulnerable populations. Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, has adopted similar protocols, and the resulting data is already influencing policy decisions. Officials used the data to prevent utility shutoffs during summer months, potentially saving lives. While widespread adoption faces challenges, including a fragmented death investigation system and overworked personnel.
Hess and others hope to provide policymakers and communities with the information needed to mitigate the growing threat of extreme heat.
