Tailwind’s Post

Today is #NationalHeatAwarenessDay - a day that reminds us that extreme heat remains the largest source of deaths across weather-related hazards ☀ We hit a record number of heat related deaths in the US last year. The death certificates of over 2,300 people in 2023 in the United States mentioned excessive heat as cause of mortality (and a study from Texas A&M estimates the total number of actual heat related deaths was over 11,000). Given the enormity and seriousness of this challenge, it is great to see today's announcement from the Biden-Harris Administration about the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)'s newly minted 'Heat and Health Tool' for communities! This tool combines: 🌡 Historic temperature data 🚨 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data on heat-related emergency responses 📊 Data on community characteristics, including pre-existing health conditions, socio-demographic information, and characteristics of the natural and built environment It then uses these data to provide a final heat and health index ranking by ZIP code, which can be used to empower strategic, data-informed decision-making. Spread the word, check it out, and stay cool! 💪 #heatseason #summer2024 https://lnkd.in/eTfUSUk7

I just discovered this Heat and Health tracker from the CDC. You can enter your zip code to see and prepare for your community's potential heat risks. Increasingly common and more intense heat waves are bringing higher instances of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, especially to vulnerable populations and people with underlying health issues. Federal investment in energy efficiency through the Inflation Reduction Act with programs like the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will help make homes and businesses safer in the heat, but we still need to massively curb GHG emissions to keep temperatures from continuing to rise. In the meantime, learning more about how extreme heat affects people differently and taking precautions ahead of an extreme event can save lives. Check your heat & health risk here: https://lnkd.in/gHeNZH3D

An interactive map by the CDC rates every ZIP code in the mainland U.S. to pinpoint areas most at risk for negative health impacts from heat. Explore the map here: https://lnkd.in/gdt3nf3Q

It's going to be a HOT Summer! More than 2,300 people in the U.S. died from the effects of excessive heat in the summer of 2023, according to an Associated Press analysis of CDC data. Know your risk by querying the CDC Heat and Health Index by your zip code. https://lnkd.in/gdYdUz94 About the Data The Heat-Related Illness and Temperature map shows the rate of emergency department (ED) visits associated with heat-related illness (HRI) per 100,000 ED visits by region (as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) for the selected day using data available through the National Syndromic Surveillance Program. The colors on the map show the average maximum temperature by county for the same day and year, using data from the National Center for Environmental Information. Note that the HRI data is updated daily and may adjust to become more accurate as more data comes in.

Researchers announced on Wednesday that a record-setting heat streak, which began last summer, has now lasted for a full year worldwide. This prolonged heat is pushing Earth closer to a critical threshold that nations around the globe have vowed to avoid. European climate scientists released data showing that May marked the 12th consecutive month with average global temperatures surpassing all records since 1850, and likely any prolonged period in over 100,000 years. According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, global temperatures over the past year have averaged 1.6 degrees Celsius (2.9 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels. This temperature increase has been attributed to the El Niño climate pattern and decades of global warming due to human emissions of greenhouse gases. Here’s a tool to stay informed about heat exposure for the future climate that is already *here*.

Heat happens, stay cool and use this nifty tool. Hot days are on the horizon and it can affect anyone, especially if you are pregnant, have asthma, heart condition, or other chronic health conditions. The CDC has created a HeatRisk Dashboard that integrates a forecast tool with other data, including on local air quality, to inform workers on how best to protect themselves when outdoor temperatures are high and could impact their health. Enter your zip code below to get the HeatRisk for this week and actions you can take to keep you and your family safe. https://lnkd.in/gPQq5nrs

The new Heat and Health Index from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides valuable data to help communities across the country stay safe during heat events. By combining historic temperature data and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data on heat-related emergency responses, public health officials, city planners, policymakers, health care providers and city planners can use zip-code level data to reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths. The new index is the latest in a set of public health tools created to protect the nation's health from heat. Other tools include: HeatRisk Dashbaord: https://cdcf.link/4e8THnY Heat health clinical guidance: https://cdcf.link/3VchVoN

I recently learned of a great tool developed by the CDC on the intersection of heat and its impact on health (both historical heat related visits to the ER and heat risk in the near future specific to where you live). Resources like this provide information to ensure both in leisure time (for those of us who want to enjoy outside in our non-work time) and during work (for those who work outside) all are able to stay healthy. Going into moderate to major heat risk this weekend for much of the US so stay cool! Link to tool: https://lnkd.in/gcjYcDCZ

#ClimateChange is causing heat waves to become more frequent! 🌡️ As the temperature warms up, check the heat risk in your area and find heat and health guidelines, recommendations, and resources here: https://lnkd.in/grQPcjdf

Last year's summer temperatures were the hottest ever recorded in the United States. We are on track to have a similar summer. This is an interesting MMWR the CDC published 4/18/24 analyzing heat-related Emergency Department visits from Summer 2023. #heatwave #heatemergency #globalwarming #climatechange