Extreme heat is sweeping across much of the U.S. this week, and health officials are urging people to take precautions. Heat is the deadliest weather-related danger in the country, killing about 2,000 people each year, according to the CDC. Many more are hospitalized or visit the ER, especially during the summer months. Still, experts believe these numbers are undercounted because heat is often not listed as the main cause of death.
Heat waves are becoming more common and more dangerous. Since the 1980s, the number of heat waves in major U.S. cities has doubled. Nighttime temperatures are also staying higher, which makes it harder for the body to cool down. This increases the risk of heat-related illness like heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with health issues face the highest risk.
Cities across the country, including New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, have declared heat emergencies. Officials are opening cooling centers and asking people to stay indoors, drink plenty of water, and limit outdoor activity. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, consider visiting a public space like a library or a friend’s house to stay cool.
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