The scorching heat of Maricopa County has claimed an unprecedented number of lives in 2023, with a record-breaking 645 heat-related fatalities. The Maricopa County Department of Public Health revealed this staggering figure in two key reports released recently. The death toll overshadows the previous year's record by over 50 percent, and according to health officials, this could have been prevented. "This tragic number shows us how much work we still have to do," Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, the medical director for MCDPH, said, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive heat relief strategies.
While the intense temperatures threaten every resident and visitor in the county, the elderly, individuals in mobile home parks, and the homeless are disproportionately affected. In a commitment to reverse this trend, MCDPH is determined to better understand what brings people to cooling centers as well as the barriers to their usage. A survey evaluating last year's Heat Relief Network revealed that about two-thirds of cooling center visitors lacked stable housing and most were returning visitors, often spending at least an hour to escape the heat. Respondents also voiced a need for centers to remain open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, including weekends, according to the reports.
Information dissemination poses a significant hitch in the county's fight against the lethal heat, with many potential cooling center users unaware of their existence, and their locations, or facing transportation issues. To tackle these problems, MCDPH has partnered with city officials and community groups to boost visibility and accessibility. Efforts include the implementation of a bilingual heat relief call center, partnering with the City of Phoenix to install visible street signs, and expanding the operating hours of cooling centers, which will also offer essentials like water and snacks.
Moreover, MCDPH is planning to tackle the shortage of heat relief supplies by ordering items such as reusable water bottles, cooling towels, and hats for distribution at community cooling centers. "Deaths from heat are a major public health issue within our community, and it’s going to take support from every level to improve the situation," Dr. Sunenshine told Maricopa.gov. The public is urged to take part by checking in on vulnerable individuals, volunteering at cooling centers, and donating supplies through the Maricopa Association of Governments.
More information on combating heat illness and supporting the Heat Relief Network can be found by visiting the Maricopa County website and the MAG’s Heat Relief Network page.
