Heat-related deaths on the rise in the U.S., study says
Aug 27, 2024, 9:09 AM
FILE - A person wipes sweat from their brow at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, Calif., July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil, File)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/Ty ONeil, File)
SALT LAKE CITY— New research suggests heat-related deaths are on the rise across the United States.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, heat-related deaths in the U.S. have jumped 117% between 1999 and 2023.
In 1999, there were 1,069 deaths connected to heat. In comparison, 2023 saw 2,325.
A spokesperson for the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office told KSL NewsRadio that Utah only had five instances last year.
Additionally, researchers noted in the study that heat-related deaths have “especially [increased] during the last seven years.”
“As temperatures continue to rise because of climate change, the recent increasing trend is likely to continue,” read the study.
Based on their findings, researchers said “local authorities in high-risk areas should consider investing in the expansion of access to hydration centers and public cooling centers or other buildings with air conditioning.”
Adam Small is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio. He primarily reports on the Great Salt Lake and Natural Resources. Follow him on Facebook and X.
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