Maricopa County Department of Public Health’s heat associated death weekly report this week reported that there have been 425 heat deaths confirmed so far in 2023, with 200 additional deaths still under investigation.
This large public health problem and threat isn’t just due to the record-breaking heat we had in July. It’s also because of the continuing regional affordable housing & homelessness problem. In fact, nearly half of the heat related deaths were among folks experiencing homelessness (44%) – making homelessness far and away the number one risk factor for heat related death.
The 2023 Point in Time homelessness county estimated there are 4,900 unsheltered people experiencing homelessness (the denominator).
See MCDPH’s October 2023 Heat Report
One hundred eight (108) of the heat associated deaths were indoor. Of those 81 had a nonfunctioning air-conditioner. An air-conditioner was present but not being used in 11 deaths, and another 11 deaths had no air-conditioner. There were two deaths where there was no electricity.
There has been a new record set every year since 2016. 2022’s record of 425 was 25% higher than the previous record set in 2021. Based on preliminary data, 2023 will set another record, though MCDPH expects it’ll be several months before all investigations are completed and data are finalized.
For their part, MCDPH will continue its work with partners to reduce heat-associated deaths by:
- Analyzing data from its recent cooling center survey to understand how people find out about them and what can be done to increase usage
- Hiring a Cooling Center Coordinator position to implement strategies learned from the cooling center survey to increase access to cooling centers in Maricopa County
- Working with stakeholders to find additional funding and partnerships to enhance heat-relief strategies in Maricopa County
- Hosting planning meetings with community, government, and faith-based partners to update Maricopa County’s Climate and Health Strategic Plan
Of course, the solution to this increasing public health threat is multi-sectoral since the primary determinant (homelessness) is a multi-sector problem requiring zoning and other policy changes and resource interventions at the state & local level.
2023 sees 425 confirmed heat-associated deaths in Maricopa County (azcentral.com)