Report: Policymakers need to prepare for extreme heat emergencies
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Research group Trust for America’s Health is urging city, state and federal leaders to have a plan in place for extreme heat.
“Extreme heat is really a concerning public health issue. It’s the number one weather-related cause of death in the United States. 2023 was hottest year on record,” said Nadine Gracia, the President and CEO of the non-profit.
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As a result, Trust for America’s Health looked into the health impacts and extreme heat in its latest report.
“When we think about extreme heat, every person in the community can suffer some of the health consequences of extreme heat,” said Gracia. “And then there are certain populations that are actually disproportionately impacted. That includes children, older adults, people who have chronic diseases like heart disease, or certain respiratory diseases like asthma.”
That’s why the group is stressing that leaders have a heat response plan at the ready.
“It’s ensuring that there are cooling centers or water distribution centers, especially for populations that may be disproportionately impacted,” Gracia said.
“So monitoring, and then providing messages to residents and communities with heat advisories on the actions that they should be taking and preparing for when these types of heat waves are going to occur.”
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