Climate Change, Data and Health: Extreme Heat

Posted by Sarah Levin-Lederer on January 22nd, 2024 Posted in: Data
Tags: climate change, Emergency Preparedness (EPP), health disparities

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It may seem strange to talk about extreme heat in the middle of winter, but last week NASA released an analysis that confirmed that 2023 was the warmest year on record (El análisis de la NASA confirma que 2023 fue el año más cálido registrado).

This post is part of a semi-regular series looking at climate change, data and health. This series has already covered the basics of Climate Change, Data and Health and Climate Change, Data and Health: Extreme Weather Events and in the future may cover other topics like vector borne diseases.

What is climate change?

From NASA’s Climate Kids: “Climate change describes a change in the average conditions — such as temperature and rainfall — in a region over a long period of time. NASA scientists have observed Earth’s surface is warming, and many of the warmest years on record have happened in the past 20 years.”

Cambio climático evidencia, causas y efectos (NASA)

Climate Change and Extreme Heat

“Extreme heat is defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. Because some places are hotter than others, this depends on what’s considered average for a particular location at that time of year.” –About Extreme Heat (CDC)

Climate Change and Extreme Heat Data

Extreme Heat Data Pathfinder (NASA)

Climate Change Indicators: Heat Waves (EPA)

Indicator: Heat Related Mortality (CDC)

National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA)

• National Temperature Index
• All Temperature Resources

Heat.gov is the web portal for the National Integrated Heat Health Information System

Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaigns (heat.gov and NOAA)

Extreme Heat and Health

MedlinePlus and MedlinePlus en español for health information for patients and their families and friends.

• Heat Illness
• Enfermedades causadas por el calor
• Heat Emergencies
• Emergencias por el calor

Extreme Heat (CDC)

• El calor extremo (CDC)

Heat Health Awareness: Why it’s Important for Persons with Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Conditions, Caregivers and Health Care Providers (SAMHSA Report)

Tips for People Who Take Medication: Coping with Hot Weather (SAMHSA handout)

Adaptation and Preparedness Resources

Get #SummerReady (Ready.gov)

• Prepárese para estar #SummerReady (Ready.gov)

Heat Safety Tips and Resource (NOAA)

Climate Change and Extreme Heat: What You Can Do to Prepare Guidebook (CDC)

Heat Islands (EPA) with information to learn, plan, and act.

• Las islas de calor (EPA)