"As heat waves become more frequent and intense, researchers and activists say the lack of precise data is leading to needless fatalities."
"After a string of scorching days in June 2023, the body of an 88-year-old man was discovered in his home in Maricopa County, Ariz. His air-conditioner, set to 70, was blowing hot air. The temperature inside was nearly 110 degrees. Maybe he had heart problems. Maybe a different organ broke down. Maybe he was taking medications that did not work as they should. Did extreme heat cause or contribute to his death?
After further investigation, the answer was yes, officials said. But scenarios like this can play out in any heat wave across the country, and in many cases, the answer cannot be determined immediately — if at all. That dearth of information is the reason that heat-related deaths in the United States remain a frustrating mystery.
Researchers estimate that heat kills more people than any other extreme weather event, and the number of heat-related deaths reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has steadily risen in recent years."
Kate Selig reports for the New York Times August 23, 2024.
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