Heat Stress Illness
Extreme outdoor heat can lead to a variety of health conditions ranging from minor health problems, such as heat rash, to serious illnesses, such as heat stroke and even death. Heat stress occurs when the body cannot get rid of excess heat. It can be prevented by taking appropriate precautions. According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), extreme heat is the leading cause of weather related deaths in the United States. While heat can negatively affect everyone, there are populations that are more susceptible to heat illnesses than others that includes, young children and infants, older adults, pregnant women, those with special needs, and those who work outside. Based on the Kansas Syndromic Surveillance System data from, May 1st to June 18th of this year, young adult males had the highest number of Emergency Department visits for heat related illnesses. Being prepared when excessive heat is in the forecast can help prevent severe health outcomes and death. As a reminder, people living in cities may experience higher temperatures than in outlying areas, hence the notion of heat islands.
Heat Islands
Heat Islands are a result of cities replacing natural land cover with buildings, streets, and sidewalks. This allows for temperatures in large cities to be 2 to 22 degrees higher than its rural surroundings. Heat islands can cause an increased risk for adverse health effects during extreme heat events. For more information please visit Heat Island Outreach Materials.
Daily Heat-Related Illness Emergency Department Visits Graph
Heat Related Illness Emergency Department Visits Graph
Emergency Department Visits for Heat Related Illness 2019 to Present
Tips for Preventing Heat Stress Illness
Resources
CDC Heat and Health Tracker
(click on the above image to visit the Heat and Health Tracker)