Heat and Health

Heat and Health Posted By:
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With the recent record high temperatures in the Pacific Northwest, I was surprised to hear the estimated death toll from one of the more recent heat waves was 800. Extreme heat can lead to heat stroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and death; anyone can be at risk, but some are more vulnerable, including pregnant women, people with heart or lung conditions, young children, older adults, athletes, and outdoor workers. With all of the hot weather extremes that many parts of the US have been experiencing, it is good to know where to look for data about its effects.

The CDC has an Environmental Public Health Tracking Network that provides this type of information. It is a dynamic surveillance system that provides information and data about environmental hazards and the health problems that may be related to them. It presents what they know about where environmental hazards exist; where exposures happen; and how targeted action can protect health, reduce illness, and save lives.

The site has information on heat-related illness, deaths, ER visits, and heat vulnerability and preparedness. It is a great resource we all should be familiar with to better be able to support our patients and communities. On the site, you can enter your location and get county-specific information. This county-level data provides a profile with specific information on vulnerable populations, how extreme heat events are changing in the community, and critical resources for use during an extreme heat event.

Check out the site here: www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking.

They also have great handouts or posters you can share with your patients on heat-related illness signs and symptoms.

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Filed under: Public Health

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