Wed Sep 25 09:14:39 UTC 2024: ## Heat-Related Deaths Likely Underreported: New Programs Aim to Improve Heat Safety
**LOS ANGELES** – While heat is recognized as the leading cause of climate-related deaths in the U.S., the true number of fatalities may be significantly higher than reported. The CDC estimated around 2,300 heat-related deaths in 2022, with California accounting for a large portion. However, a Texas A&M study suggests the actual number could be closer to 11,000.
To address this issue and improve heat safety, California is launching a pilot program to create a revamped heat warning system. This system will provide communities with faster access to data on emergency medical service visits and other indicators of heat-related stress.
“We need to do a better job at getting people specific information,” said Dr. V. Kelly Turner, Associate Professor of Urban Planning at UCLA. Communities are already implementing strategies like planting trees and increasing access to air conditioning, but more targeted information is crucial.
New research published in *Nature* highlights the importance of understanding individual physiological responses to heat. Dr. Jennifer Vanos, from Arizona State University, envisions a future where personalized apps incorporate individual data to provide customized heat safety advice.
“We could say today it’s 100 degrees, 60% humidity, and until 10 a.m. it’s safe for you to go for a run in the shade,” Vanos explained. “But after that, you should probably stay inside because it’s not safe.”
This type of personalized guidance could be particularly beneficial for outdoor workers, leading to more effective policies to protect them.
Los Angeles and Los Angeles County are expected to release their own Heat Action Plans soon, joining the state’s existing plan. The state has also launched the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program, which offers grants to support projects that combat extreme heat, such as adding shade structures or increasing building reflectivity.
Dr. Turner’s research group at UCLA has received funding from NOAA to establish a Center for Heat Resilient Communities. This center will work with experts nationwide to develop a blueprint for resilient communities and a roadmap for implementing heat safety measures. The center will conduct field tests with 30 communities over the next three years.
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