Extreme Heat

By Gabriela Portillo, Bryan Solorzano, and Binita Adhikari

What is Extreme Heat?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) define extreme heat as “summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average”(1).  Average temperature is based on location(1). In recent years, the number of days categorized as “extremely hot” in the United States has been increasing with 594 counties (made up of 63 million people) expected to have 5 or more days of extreme heat in July alone(2). In the last 50 years, Nevada’s two most urbanized cities have seen more frequent, more severe, and longer episodes of extreme heat(3).  Reno (+7.8º) and Las Vegas (+5.9º) are warming up faster than any other city in the country based on the increase in annual average temperature from 1970 to 2022(3).  Urban cities, whether big or small, are more at risk for higher temperatures due to several factors such as limited green space, types of materials used for infrastructure, lack of space between buildings, and heat conducted by cars and other machinery(1).

What is Heat-Related Illness?

Exposure to extreme heat for extended periods can prevent people’s bodies from cooling themselves which can cause heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke (1). Those who are at an increased risk of heat-related illness include elderly adults, young children, and those with mental or physical illnesses, however, anyone can be at risk if they are spending prolonged amounts of time in the heat (1). The symptoms of heat-related illnesses (i.e. sweating or fatigue) can be masked as a typical response to heat but if left untreated, can progress to the point of impairing one’s mental capabilities and may eventually lead to death (1). In Clark County, Nevada, where Las Vegas is located, heat-related Emergency Department (ED) visits totaled 2,277 in 2023. In this same year, there were 294 heat-related deaths, an increase of 78% from the year prior (165) (4). During an extreme event, the CDC and EPA recommend wearing light-colored loose clothing, minimizing direct exposure to the sun, and staying hydrated (drinking beverages without caffeine, sugar, or alcohol) to reduce the chance of heat-related illness (1).

Why is Extreme Heat Occurring More Often?

The average temperature of our planet has been steadily rising over the last 150 years increasing the chances of extreme heat events (EHEs) in the United States (1). The leading force behind global warming trends is the result of humanity’s heavy and continued use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gasoline, and other natural gases (1). The use of these fossil fuels adds greenhouse gases to Earth’s atmosphere, thereby increasing the overall temperature (1). This rise in temperature increases the likelihood of EHEs becoming more frequent in the coming decades though most EHEs are often still a result of natural weather patterns (1).

Extreme Heat and Health Equity

While EHEs affect everyone, their impact often disproportionately affects marginalized individuals and communities including people of color, low-income individuals, the elderly, the unhoused and workers with primarily outdoor occupations (5).  Due to the historical, and now illegal, practice known as “redlining” in the early 20th century, communities of color were pushed into the inner areas of urban cities (6). Expansive areas of dark paved roads that absorb energy from the sun and a high concentration of buildings that reduce airflow often make up the built infrastructure of these areas. Additionally, there is usually limited green space which can release moisture to cool the air and provide shade (6). These factors together lead to hotter overall temperatures than surrounding neighborhoods and is often known as the “heat island effect” (1,6).  People of color and low-income individuals are also more likely to live in energy-inefficient housing leading to higher energy costs. Additionally, they are often left spending a larger percentage of their income on energy costs which can reduce their ability to cool their homes effectively (6). It is important to note that many people have intersecting factors that increase their risk of being impacted by EHEs. Elderly people are physically more sensitive to extreme heat and may be limited in their capacity to care for themselves during EHEs but they are also more likely to live in poverty (5,7). Approximately 33% of adults, 65 and older live below the U.S. poverty line. This percentage increases to 50% for Black and Hispanic older adults (7). For the unhoused, EHEs are life-threatening. Unhoused individuals may be over-exposed to direct sunlight and hot surfaces and lack the resources to protect themselves such as transportation, access to clean water, access to air conditioning, proper clothing, and medical services (5). Lastly, occupational injury and illness disproportionately impact those who are required to work outdoors, such as those in construction, agriculture, road work, and the military. (5) In 2023, there were 392 heat-related complaints with the Nevada Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), representing nearly a 65 percent increase from the 254 complaints filed in 2022 (8).

Potential Solutions to Extreme Heat

With the effects of climate change making summers hotter and harder to withstand, it becomes all the more important to find viable short-term and long-term solutions to mitigate the rising temperatures. In the short term, the EPA has published recommendations for how local governments can respond to EHEs and reduce their impact in the future. Suggestions include a coordinated alert system and emergency hotlines, having an adequate number of cooling centers in high-risk areas, and raising awareness of risk factors of heat-related illness (9). Taking it a step further, cities could implement free public transportation during EHEs.  In the long term, the EPA recommends that cities with urban areas that are susceptible to the “heat island effect” take measures to mitigate it such as putting green spaces on the roofs of buildings and increasing the amount of vegetation along the streets (9). Steps should also be taken to address homes that are energy inefficient. Grants could be provided to those most at risk to improve their homes (6). Ultimately the only way to reduce EHEs in the future is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. In 1997, Nevada adopted the Nevada Renewable Portfolio Standard, a policy designed to promote the use of renewable energy and increase the efficiency of the energy used (10). This policy has been modified in every legislative session since its adoption, and efforts are continuously being made to reach the goal of 50% of energy coming from renewable sources by the year 2030 (10). The use of renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind, waterpower and geothermal energy reduces the need for fossil fuels and provides a wide array of health and environmental benefits (10). Additionally, Nevada aims to produce zero carbon dioxide from all energy consumed by the year 2050, a goal that would cut greenhouse gasses by a significant margin and place Nevada as a leader in clean energy (10).

Heat-Related Resources

References
  1. U.S Environmental Protection Agency. (2016). Climate Change and Extreme Heat: What You Can Do to Prepare. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-10/documents/extreme-heat-guidebook.pdf
  2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2024.) Extreme Heat. https://www.hhs.gov/climate-change-health-equity-environmental-justice/climate-change-health-equity/climate-health-outlook/extreme-heat/index.html
  3. Climate Central (2024) Earth Day: Warming & Solutions. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/earth-day-warming-and-solutions-2023
  4. Southern Nevada Health District (2023). Heat-Associated Deaths & Emergency Department Visits 2023 Report. https://media.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/download/2023-final-heat-report.pdf
  5. National Integrated Heat Health Information System (n.d.) Who Is Most At Risk To Extreme Heat? https://www.heat.gov/pages/who-is-at-risk-to-extreme-heat
  6. U.S Environmental Protection Agency (2023). Heat Islands and Equity. https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/heat-islands-and-equity
  7. National Council on Aging (2024) Get the Facts on Economic Security for Seniors https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-economic-security-for-seniors
  8. Nevada Occupational Safety & Health Administration (2024). Nevada OSHA Heath Complaints Dashboard. https://app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrIjoiNTA5YzY0NjYtNDg3ZC00OTc5LTlkZGEtYWJkMzkzNjZlNDJjIiwidCI6ImU0YTM0MGU2LWI4OWUtNGU2OC04ZWFhLTE1NDRkMjcwMzk4MCJ9
  9. U.S Environmental Protection Agency (2024)Adapting to Heat. https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/adapting-heat
  10. State of Nevada Public Utilities Commission (n.d). (Renewable Portfolio Standard. https://puc.nv.gov/Renewable_Energy/Portfolio_Standard/
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