Heat is a major contributor to climate-related deaths in the United States, but the true number of deaths may be significantly higher than reported. While the Centers for Disease Control counted around 2,300 heat-related deaths last year, a study from Texas A&M suggests that the actual number could be as high as 11,000. To address this issue, a new pilot program in California is being implemented to revamp the heat warning system and provide more timely information to communities to better protect individuals from extreme heat.
Communities are already experimenting with various strategies to combat heat, such as planting more trees, providing air conditioning, and creating cooling centers. Research in the publication Nature is exploring how a person’s unique physiology influences their reaction to temperature and humidity, which could lead to personalized heat safety recommendations.
In California, initiatives like the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program are providing grants for projects to address extreme heat, such as adding shade or making buildings more reflective. UCLA has received funding to establish a Center for Heat Resilient Communities, which will develop a blueprint for creating heat-resilient communities and work with 30 communities to implement these strategies over the next three years.
Overall, the goal is to improve access to timely and personalized heat information to protect vulnerable populations, such as outdoor workers, and to develop policies and strategies to build resilience against extreme heat events.
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