The extreme heat in Arizona is becoming a silent killer, taking almost the same number of lives in the summer in Maricopa County as a year of motor vehicle crashes.
The Maricopa County Department of Health found that 645 people died from heat in the summer of 2023 in the county. The National Weather Service found that June 2024 was the hottest June ever recorded in Phoenix, with records dating back to 1895.
The average daytime high temperature was 109.4 degrees, with an average daily temperature of 97. We can anticipate another year of high death rates in Maricopa County in 2024 from heat.
Who is most at risk in Phoenix’s extreme heat?
While medical treatment and resources are becoming more available, the best treatment for heat stroke is to prevent it.
Over the last month, we have been studying the different surface temperatures across the city of Phoenix. We have found different temperatures on different surfaces that all of us should consider when walking outside.
|
Sidewalk in direct sunlight |
135 – 140 degrees |
|
Sidewalk in the shade |
105 – 110 degrees |
|
Grass in direct sunlight |
125 – 145 degrees |
|
Road asphalt |
140 – 150 degrees |
These are the average surface temperatures using an infrared thermometer.
The surface temperatures are higher than the outside temperatures because the pavement absorbs radiation and heat.
ER doctor: Phoenix heat kills. Here’s how to stop it
It is possible to take precautions to minimize risks by minimizing exposure to the hottest areas. Those at highest risk include people who use methamphetamines and fentanyl, but other drugs and medications can increase risk.
The elderly, the young, those with chronic medical conditions, those without air-conditioned homes, and those who work outside are at the highest risk and should be aware of the differences in temperature in different outside environments.
How to minimize heat stroke and illness
Many methods can be used to minimize heat illness. Drinking fluids throughout the day and minimizing time outdoors are important ways to prevent overheating.
Some other potential resources include umbrellas to protect from direct sunlight, cooling towels that can lower body temperature and staying in the shade as much as possible.
While our city and county continue to add cooling centers and provide advanced emergency medical services and emergency medical care to those who are victims of the heat, we also need to be aware of the risks of various outdoor environments and take steps to keep ourselves and others in our community safe.
To combat this extreme heat, we must unite as a city and look out for each other to make meaningful progress to save lives.
By prioritizing education, prevention and accessible resources, we can protect everyone in our community.
Bryan Yavari is a recent graduate in neuroscience from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University. He is the research coordinator for the Infectious Disease Prevention and Public Response Translational Team at Arizona State University. Dr. David Sklar is an emergency room physician at Valleywise Health and a professor at Arizona State University. Reach them at byavari@asu.edu and dsklarabq@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix heat could kill you. Learn your risk and take precautions
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