The United States is bracing for a series of unprecedented heat waves, with meteorologists predicting record-breaking temperatures that pose serious health risks to millions. As Labor Day approaches, states in the South and Southeast are under heat warnings, putting residents, particularly those with underlying health conditions, at significant risk. The National Weather Service has issued alerts across these regions, where the heat is expected to exacerbate existing health problems.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that 2023 has been the hottest year on record, and there is a 77% chance that 2024 will surpass it. Heat waves, becoming longer and more intense each year, have led to an increase in life-threatening health issues, including heart failure, dehydration, and kidney failure. Emergency departments report a surge in patients suffering from dehydration and dizziness, conditions that can escalate quickly in extreme heat.
“Unfortunately, this is a cycle that we can’t seem to break,” said Kimberly McMahon, public program manager at NOAA’s National Weather Service.
Residents in the South and Southeast face unique challenges due to higher numbers of individuals with chronic health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults on Medicare living in these regions had the highest rates of hospitalization for heart failure between 2019 and 2021. States such as Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina report high incidences of chronic diseases that complicate heat management.
“People who have chronic health conditions are going to be more susceptible, particularly when you get sustained high-heat, high-humidity days,” stated Dr. John Sherner, chair of medicine at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
The CDC highlights that patients with diabetes or other chronic diseases are particularly vulnerable during heat waves. Heart failure remains a common condition among emergency department admissions in these regions during intense heat periods. Older adults without access to air conditioning are at heightened risk; a couple in Las Vegas recently developed significant kidney failure after enduring three days in their home without cooling during a heat wave.
“We’re seeing a lot of heart failure,” remarked Dr. Joanne Skaggs, associate chief medical officer of adults at OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center.
In response to the escalating heat crisis, the National Integrated Heat Health Information System has developed a federal strategic plan to address critical issues related to the impact of heat on health. This initiative aims to mitigate the adverse effects of rising temperatures through improved public awareness and strategic interventions.
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