Experts have expressed worry that the punishing heatwaves that have scorched much of the US could result in a record number of heat-related deaths this year, amid a spike in hospitalizations from collapsing workers.
Among those needing hospital treatment are heat-exhausted hikers and even people who have suffered severe burns from touching blistering concrete and asphalt, according to reports.
Heat is said to be the leading weather-related cause of mortalities in the US, outpacing deaths from hurricanes by a factor of eight to one, and this summerโs record-breaking temperatures, worsened by the human-caused climate crisis, have led to fears a new annual high death toll will be set in 2023.
โThis year looks on pace to potentially break records, in terms of heat and heat mortalities,โ said Gregory Wellenius, an expert in environmental health at Boston University School of Public Health. โWe are seeing the full spectrum of risks, from heat exhaustion to more injuries from dehydration to even new food or water borne illnesses because bacteria can replicate faster in warmer weather. My guess is that 2023 will prove to be one of the years with the most heat-related excess deaths on record in recent memory.โ
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States that have experienced some of the most drastic heatwaves this summer are already experiencing a surge in heat-related hospitalizations, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.
In the week ending 22 July, a group of western states including Arizona, California and Nevada had a rate of heat-related hospitalizations 51% above the average seen since 2018, while southern states including Texas and Louisiana had a 37% spike.
While several cities and states have put in place heat action plans, by setting up cooling centers and providing warnings to vulnerable people, such as the elderly, many people are still either underestimate the dangers posed by extreme heat or are placed in peril by their jobs or living conditions.
โThereโs a reason heat is labeled a silent killer. People often donโt realize they are in trouble until things are progressing rapidly,โ said Kristie Ebi, an epidemiologist at the University of Washington who specializes in climate effects. โI would expect to see a spike in deaths this year. Everywhere is going to struggle with extreme heat and we just donโt have the level of preparedness we need.โ
This week more than 170 million Americans have been placed under heat alerts. Although it will take several months for the summerโs death toll to be known, doctors have reported worrying effects from the withering heatwaves that have stretched across the US.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
