75–2,155

lornajarrettblanchard January 1, 2023

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-14-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–2,155 Blanchard tally from State breakouts below. (Note: We use CDC WONDER Provisional

Mortality Statistics. Occurrence State, T67 for 2023 except for inclusion of Jan Null’s

reports on Pediatric Vehicular hot car deaths for 2023 and OSHA outdoor heat deaths in

States where CDC shows no numbers.)

–2,141 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023, occurrence state, T67 code only.

(Our number in that CDC WONDER on this search does not provide a total.)

–1,784 Henderson. “Some states act to protect…from extreme heat…” Stateline.org, 11-30-2023.

(Note: Henderson writes that his number derives from CDC WONDER data.)

–1,553 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023, occurrence state, X30 code.

–1,372 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67 and X30 search.

(Our number. CDC provides only State breakouts for those states with ten or more

deaths. It does not provide a total. Thus we tallied from the State breakouts. There

could have been a number of states with 1-9 deaths.)

— 29 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2023 Pediatric Vehicular…Deaths.”

— 20 Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Accident Search Results [heat] 2023.,

ICDC Codes used in CDC Wonder Online Database:

T67.0 (Heatstroke and sunstroke);

T67.1 (Heat syncope); heat syncope [fainting]; factors include dehydration and lack of acclimatization.

T67.2 (Heat cramp);

T67.3 (Heat exhaustion, anhydrotic);

T67.4 (Heat exhaustion due to salt depletion);

T67.5 (Heat exhaustion, unspecified);

T67.6 (Heat fatigue, transient);

T67.7 (Heat oedema);

T67.8 (Other effects of heat and light);

T67.9 (Effect of heat and light, unspecified)

X30 Exposure to excessive natural heat.

X32 Exposure to sunlight. (No total noted, meaning there were 0-9).

Summary of Breakout of State 2023 Heat and Related Deaths

Alabama 14 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67, X30.

Arizona 867 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Arkansas 33 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

California 75 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Colorado 12 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Florida 81 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Georgia 21 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Idaho >1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2023…Deaths.”

Illinois 21 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Indiana 11 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Kansas 20 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Kentucky 20 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Louisiana 82 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Maryland 13 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Mississippi 41 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Missouri 36 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Nebraska >1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2023…Deaths.”

Nevada 208 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

New Jersey >1 OSHA. Accident Search Results [Heat] 2023.

New Mexico 22 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

New York 16* CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

North Carolina 10 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67, X30.

Ohio 13 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67, X30.

Oklahoma 31 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Pennsylvania >1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2023…Deaths.”

South Carolina 20 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

South Dakota >1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2023…Deaths.”

Tennessee 18 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Texas 440 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Virginia >2 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2023…Deaths.”

Washington 11 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Wisconsin 12

Total 2,155

*NY note: The 2023 NYC Heat-Related Mortality Report, New York City Environment & Health Data Portal, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy, notes that “Each summer, on average, an estimated 350 New Yorkres die prematurely because of hot weather.” Notes that on average there were 7 heat-stress deaths, those caused directly by heat,” and “about 345 Heat-exacerbated deaths (caused indirectly by heat aggravating an underlying illness).” The CDC data we note does not include these “heat-exacerbated deaths.”

Breakout of Heat-Related Fatalities by State and Locality (if so noted):

Alabama 14

–14 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only.

–11 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence state, T67, X30 codes.

–1 Atmore, Feb 17, Boy, 2; father forgot he had not dropped him off at daycare; 80⁰ day. Null.

–1 Madison, July 28. Heat-related illness; 1^st day concrete finisher worker. OSHA.

Arizona 867

–867 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only.

— 11 Cochise County (using “Occurrence County” search)

— 18 La Paz County “ “ “

–601 Maricopa County “ “ “

— 47 Mohave County “ “ “

–128 Pima County “ “ “

— 27 Pinal County “ “ “

— 16 Yuma County “ “ “

–867 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30 codes.

–791 Blanchard tally using Maricopa County 579 instead of CDC 405.

(We subtracted 405 CDC number for Maricopa County heat deaths from CDC number of

617 heat deaths for all of AZ (708), then added 579 heat deaths for Maricopa County as

noted by Maricopa County Department of Public Health. Totals to 791.)

–708 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence State, T67, X30, X32.

–617 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence State, T67, X30.

By County

— 12 La Paz CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67, X30 (county level)

–579 Maricopa Maricopa County Dept. of Public Health. 2023 Weekly Heat Report, Nov.

(Heat-associated deaths; 45% homeless; 43% non-homeless; 12% unknown)

59% White Non-Hispanic, 22% Hispanic or Latino; 13% Black

–330 Heat caused

–249 Heat Related

— 56 Under Investigation

–405 Maricopa CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67, X30 (county level)

— 29 Mohave CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67, X30 (county level)

— 88 Pima CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67, X30 (county level)

— 36 Pinal CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67, X30 (county level)

— 14 Yuma CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67, X30 (county level)

Arkansas 33

–33 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code alone.

–22 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence state, T67 and X30.

–21 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, X30 code alone.

–1 Osceola, June 30. Hyperthermia. Bldg. worker bolting pieces of steel in hot humid conditions. OSHA

California 75

–75 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code alone.

–65 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence state, T67, X30 codes.

–58 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

— 1 Imperial Co., Brawley, May 12. Farm worker heat stroke while harvesting corn. OSHA.

–26 Riverside County

–1 Lake Elsinore, Aug 29. Boy, 12, “who died after running laps at school.” Henderson.

Colorado 12 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Florida 49

–81 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code alone.

–12 Lee County

–49 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, X30 code.

–48 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

–45 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence state, T67 and X30.

–1 Cape Coral, June 23. Roofing worker; complications of hyperthermia due to natural heat exposure. OSHA.

–1 Jacksonville Beach, Sep 5. Girl, 2, left in car outside church with a preschool; 73⁰ day. Null.

–1 Lakeland, July 5. Girl, 18 mos.; parents left child overnight and into next day after partying.

–1 Macclenny, July 19. Girl, 10 months, left in car 5 hours by babysitter; 95⁰ day. Null.

–1 North Port, June 26. Worker “doing gutter work…died of a possible heat-related illness.” OSHA

–1 Orange City, June 8. Girl, 2, after family left her in car more than 2 hours; 91⁰ day. Null.

–1 Palm Bay, May 28. Girl, 11 months, left in car by mother 3 hours outside church; 85⁰. Null.

–1 Parkland, Jan 1. Heat illness; first day at work migrant farm worker. OSHA.

–1 Port St. Lucie, Mar 6. Boy, 2; father forgot to take son out of car when he got home; 84⁰ day.

–1 Prosperity, May 16, Girl, 2, left in parents car at home, midnight to 3:41 PM; 92⁰ day. Null.

Georgia 25

–25 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

–14 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence state, T67, X30 codes.

–14 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30

–1 Newton County, Oct 10. Heat exhaustion, girl, 14 months, left in hot car by mother, 83⁰. Null

Idaho >1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2023…Deaths.”

–1 Rathdrum, July 9. Boy, 2, apparently got into family car while playing; 97⁰ day. Null.

Illinois 21

–21 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code alone.

–13 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence state, T67, X30 codes.

–10 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

— 1 Collinsville, Aug 3. Boy, 3, inadvertently left in SUV by father at workplace; 84⁰ day. Null.

Indiana 11 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Kansas 20 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

–1 Olathe, April 23. Heat stroke (official); boy 1, left in car for hours, apparently by father. Null

–1 Olathe, July 22. College football player during workout; body temp. hit 108; died week later.[1]

Kentucky 20 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Louisiana 82

–82 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 only.

–24 Orleans Parish (using “Occurrence County” search)

–56 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence State, X30 code only.

–56 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

–47 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence State, T67 and X30.

–1 New Orleans, July 18. HVAC roof worker; hear attack with heat illness contributing. OSHA.

–1 White Castle, Aug 8. Farm worker laying out sugar cane on the ground. OSHA.

Maryland 13

–13 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code alone.

–11 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence State, T67, X30.

Mississippi 41

–41 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only.

–30 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence State, X30 code only.

–30 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

–27 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence State, T67, X30.

— 1 Hernando, June 14. Girl, 22 months, left by mother in vehicle while at work; 85⁰ day. Null.

Missouri 36

–36 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only.

–18 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence State, X30 code only.

–18 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

–17 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence State, T67, X30 codes.

Nebraska >1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2023…Deaths.”

–1 Omaha, Aug 21. Girl, 1, left in daycare van by driver outside daycare; 97⁰ day. Null.

Nevada 208

–208 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

–194 Clark County (using “Occurrence County” search)

— 10 Nye County “ “ “

–190 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence State, X30 only.

–190 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

–158 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence State, T67, X30.

–149 Clark County “ “ “

New Jersey >1 OSHA. Accident Search Results [Heat] 2023.

–1 Berlin, July 6. Forklift driver “found dead in his car of heat illness.” OSHA.

New Mexico 22

–22 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only..

–18 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence State, X30 code only.

–18 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

–17 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence State, T67, X30 codes.

New York 16

–16 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only.

–12 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence State, X30 code only.

–12 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

–11 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence State, T67, X30 codes.

— 1 Smithtown, July 31. Girl, 14 months, left in car by grandmother at place of work; 84⁰ day.

— 1 Spring Valley, May 9. Girl, 1, left in family car by father several hours; 70⁰ day. Null.

North Carolina 10 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67, X30.

–1 Butters, July 19. July 19. Heat illness, farm laborer, working in tobacco field. OSHA.

–1 Jacksonville, Aug 29. Boy, 14 months, left in car “extended period of time.” 92⁰ in car. Null.

Ohio 13

–13 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence State, T67, X30 codes.

–12 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only.

–10 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence State, X30 code only.

–10 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

— 1 Fairfield, July 28. Worker loading furniture on truck “died due to the heat conditions.” OSHA

— 1 Williston, Aug 16. Girl, 4 months, left in car outside mother’s workplace; 80⁰ day. Null.

Oklahoma 31

–31 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only.

–23 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence State, X30 code only.

–23 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

–19 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence State, T67, X30 codes.

— 1 Tulsa, July 13. Country club valet parking cars; “died from possible heat-related illness.” OSHA

Pennsylvania >1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2023…Deaths.”

–1 West Hempfield Twp. Heat exposure; closed vehicle parked in sunlight, girl, 3 months, 83⁰.

South Carolina 20

–20 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only.

–17 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence State, X30 code only.

–17 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

–16 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Residence State, T67 and X30.

— 1 Daniel Island, Aug 25. Girl, 16 mo., in locked car outside school where mother worked. Null

South Dakota >1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2023…Deaths.”

–1 Yankton, Aug 23. Girl, 1, left in vehicle on residential street; 100⁰ day. Null

Tennessee 18

–18 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only.

–10 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence State, X30 code only.

–10 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

— 1 Chattanooga, July 23. Girl, 11 mo., left in car 13 hours by father (who was arrested). Null

Texas 440

–440 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only.

–15 Bexar County (using “Occurrence County” search)

–38 Dallas County “ “ “

–61 Harris County “ “ “

–10 McLennan Co. “ “ “

–59 Tarrant County “ “ “

–33 Travis County “ “ “

–15 Webb County “ “ “

–334 Douglas and Martinez. “Two families mourn…after a record year for Texas heat deaths.”

Cite Texas Department of State Health Services.

–309 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, X30 code.

–308 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 and X30.

–250 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. T67, X30.

— 1 Bexar County, San Antonio, Aug 21. Heat-related illness; solar roof panel worker. OSHA.

–21 Dallas County

–1 Dallas, June 20. Mail carrier; cardiovascular disease exacerbated by outdoor heat hyperthermia. OSHA.

–1 Dallas, Aug 1. Heat exhaustion; landscaping worker. OSHA.

— 1 Fort Bend County, Richmond, July 14. Boy, 6, got into family vehicle at home. Null.

–29 Harris County

–1 Houston, May 26. Boy, 4, apparently got into family car at home; 88⁰ day. Null.

–1 Houston, July 12. Worker “performing roofing work during elevated temperatures.” OSHA.

–1 Houston, Aug 8. Boy, 2 months, left in car 102⁰ day. Null.

— 1 Harrison Co., Marshall, June 19. Suspected heat exhaustion; electrical power restoration. OSHA.

— 1 Lavaca Co., Yoakum, Aug 18. Dehydration/environmental heat stress; tanker driver pumping fuel.

— 1 Midland County, Midland, March 23. Hyperthermia, boy 2, left in car by mother at home. Null.

–25 Tarrant County

–1 Fort Worth, July 22. Heat-related incident; construction worker. OSHA.

–17 Travis County

–1 Austin, May 31. Residential construction worker digging trenches; cardio & hyperthermia. OSHA

–10 Webb County

Virginia >2 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2023…Deaths.”

–1 Suffolk, May 9. Boy, 5 months, intentionally left in car while mother worked ~8 hrs. Null.

–1 York County, Sep 12. Girl, 11 months, left in car over 6 hours; heat index ~100⁰. Null.

Washington 11

–11 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67 code only.

— 1 Puyallup, May 24. Child, 1, left in car outside hospital where foster parent worked, 9 hrs.

Wisconsin 12 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2023. Occurrence state, T67.

Narrative Information

(General)

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on Heat-Related Deaths (11-21-2023):

“When people are exposed to extreme heat, they can suffer from potentially deadly illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Hot temperatures can also contribute to deaths from heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of cardiovascular disease. Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, even though most heat-related deaths are preventable through outreach and intervention (see EPA’s Excessive Heat Events Guidebook at: www.epa.gov/heat-islands/excessive-heat-events-guidebook).

Unusually hot summer temperatures have become more common across the contiguous 48 states in recent decades…extreme heat events (heat waves) have become more frequent and intense… and these trends are expected to continue. As a result, the risk of heat-related deaths and illness is also expected to increase.^[2] The “urban heat island” effect accentuates the problem by causing even higher temperatures in densely developed urban areas. Reductions in cold-related deaths are projected to be smaller than increases in heat-related deaths in most regions. Death rates can also change, however, as people acclimate to higher temperatures and as communities strengthen their heat response plans and take other steps to continue to adapt.

“Certain population groups already face higher risks of heat-related death, and increases in summertime temperature variability will increase that risk. The population of adults aged 65 and older, which is expected to continue to grow, has a higher-than-average risk of heat-related death. Children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than adults, and they must rely on others to help keep them safe. People with certain diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, are especially vulnerable to excessive heat exposure, as are the economically disadvantaged. Data also suggest a higher risk among non-Hispanic Blacks.”

Trent, CA Dept. of Health Services on Heat-Related (HR) Illness: “HR illness is described according to three stages of increasing severity:

Heat cramps. Mild and easy to treat, this level involves fevers generally under 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat exhaustion: Involves fevers over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, often with vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue.
Heat stroke: A severe and life-threatening failure of body’s ability to cool (e.g., sweating ceases), with fevers over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat stroke can result in organ and neurologic damage and lead quickly to death.” (p. 3)

“Exertional heat stroke tends to occur among younger (under 50 years old), healthier persons who develop heat stroke after strenuous activity and inadequate hydration. The result is dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Exposures may involve work or recreational activities outdoors.

“Classic heat stroke tends to occur among persons who are older (over 50 years old), frail, and with chronic diseases. They may take medications, have psychological or cognitive problems, and live alone. They are assumed to have a compromised thermoregulatory response due to their age, illnesses, and medications. They generally are not in an air conditioned space when discovered with heat stroke symptoms or deceased.” (p. 5)

(Trent, Roger B., Ph.D. (CA Dept. of Health Services). Review of July 2006 Heat Wave Related Fatalities in California. Sacramento, CA: Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch, California Department of Health Services, May 2007.)

Associated Press (Anita Snow and Kendria Lafleur), Mishmash of how US heat deaths are counted complicates efforts to keep people safe as Earth warms.” 8-13-2023:

“….Even when it seems obvious that extreme heat was a factor, death certificates don’t always reflect the role it played. Experts say a mishmash of ways more than 3,000 counties calculate heat deaths means we don’t really know how many people die in the U.S. each year because of high temperatures in an ever warming world.

“That imprecision harms efforts to better protect people from extreme heat because officials who set policies and fund programs can’t get the financial and other support needed to make a difference….Currently, about the only consistency in counting heat deaths in the U.S. is that officials and climate specialists acknowledge fatalities are grossly undercounted…

“ ‘It’s frustrating that for 90 years public health officials in the United States have not had a good picture of heat-related mortality because we have such a bad data system,’ said Dr. David Jones, a Harvard Medical School professor who also teaches in the epidemiology department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

“There is no uniformity among who does the counting across U.S. jurisdictions. Death investigations in some places might be carried out by a medical examiner, typically a physician trained in forensic pathology. In other locales, the coroner could be an elected sheriff, such as the one in Orange County, California. In some small counties in Texas, a justice of peace might determine cause of death. Utah and Massachusetts are among states that do not track heat-related deaths where exposure to extreme heat was a secondary factor.

“The CDC, which is often several years behind in reporting, draws information on heat deaths from death certificate information included in local, state, tribal and territorial databases. The CDC said in a statement that coroners and others who fill out death certificates ‘are encouraged to report all causes of death,’ but they may not always associate those contributing causes to an extreme heat exposure death and include the diagnostic codes for heat illnesses.

“Hess, the Arizona coroner [Pima County medical examiner], said determining environmental heat was a factor in someone’s death is difficult and can take weeks or even months of investigation including toxicological tests. ‘If someone was shot in the head, it’s pretty obvious what happened there,’ Hess said. ‘But when you find a body in a hot apartment 48 hours after they died, there is a lot of ambiguity.’ Hess noted that Pima County this year began including heat-related deaths in its tally of environmental heat fatalities….”

Narrative Information

Maricopa County, Arizona

“Heat Associated Deaths in Maricopa County

“Heat Caused (HC): Cases that mention heat or heat exposure in Part I of the death certificate

causes of death (diseases or conditions in the direct sequence causing death), for variables cod_a,

cod_b, cod_c, or cod_d. County of death: Maricopa.

Heat Related (HR): Cases that mention heat exposure in Part II of the death certificate causes of

death (diseases and conditions contributing but not directly resulting in the death sequence), but

not in any of the Part I variables (cod_a, cod_b, cod_c, or cod_d). County of death: Maricopa.

Under Investigation (UI): Cases the Maricopa County Office of Medical Examiner suspects are

heat associated deaths.

Data Sources: Maricopa County, Office of Vital Registration and Office of Medical Examiner;

Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Vital Registration.”

Sources

Associated Press (Anita Snow and Kendria Lafleur), Mishmash of how US heat deaths are counted complicates efforts to keep people safe as Earth warms.” 8-13-2023. Accessed 2-14-2024 at: https://apnews.com/article/counting-extreme-heat-deaths-7125ad9a5289625bd9ca312945996399

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Provisional Mortality on CDC WONDER Online Database. Data are from the final Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2021, and from provisional data for years 2022-2024, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10-provisional.html on Feb 12, 2024 7:36:39 PM

Douglas, Erin and Alejandra Martinez. “Two families mourn their losses after a record year for Texas heat deaths.” The Texas Tribune, Austin, 1-12-2024. Accessed 2-13-2024 at: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/12/texas-heat-deaths-2023-record-climate-change/

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Climate Change Indicators: Heat-Related Deaths (webpage). 11-1-2023. Accessed 2-7-2024 at: https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heat-related-deaths#ref6

Henderson, Tim. “Some states act to protect residents from extreme heat, with a new focus on young people.” Stateline.org, 11-30-2023. Accessed 2-14-2024 at:

https://phys.org/news/2023-11-states-residents-extreme-focus-young.html

Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Epidemiology & Informatics. 2023 Weekly Heat Report, November 2023. Accessed 2-13-2024 at: https://www.maricopa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5734

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[1] Zeff. “Hundreds attend memorial service for another Kansas football player who died from the heat.” 8-14-2023.

[2] Cites IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change). 2014.