Heat Waves

Global climate change is predicted to bring more extreme weather events—such as heat waves. If history is any indicator, the health effects of these events are likely to disproportionately affect racial/ethnic minorities.  A review of the 1995 Chicago heat wave found that the heat-related mortality rate among African Americans was 1.5 times that of Whites and nearly twice that for those over age 84, while a similar review of the 1980 heat wave in Texas found the disparity to be 3:1.  A MMWR review of heat-related deaths among crop workers found that 71% the workers were from Mexico, Central, or South America.  Socioeconomic factors, such as limited access to air conditioning and outdoor occupation, contribute to these disparities in addition to language barriers that inhibit risk communication strategies.  Below is a select list of resources and translated materials to inform efforts to prevent heat-related mortality and morbidity in culturally diverse communities. 

Research:

• Disparities by Race in Heat-Related Mortality in Four US cities- The role of air conditioning prevalence: This article explores the association between air conditioning prevalence, race, and heat-related mortality in Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh.

• Heat-Related Deaths among Crop Workers- United States, 1992—2006:  This MMWR reviewed heat-related deaths among crop workers and  found that 71% the workers were from Mexico, Central, or South America, with 60% of all heat-related deaths among crop workers occurring in July.

• Mortality in Chicago Attributed to the July 1995 Heat Wave: This article looks at factors, such as race, associated with mortality during the Chicago heat wave of 1995.

• The Epidemiology of Heat-Related Deaths, Texas-1950, 1970-79, and 1980: This article explores socioeconomic factors associated with heat-related mortality during a 1980 Texas heat wave.

• The 2006 California Heat Wave- Impacts on Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits: This article discusses racial/ethnic differences in hospitalizations and emergency department visits for specific illnesses during the 2006 California heat wave. 

• Heat Wave- A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago: This book provides an assessment of the social and political factors which contributed to the 793 deaths attributed to the 1995 Chicago heat wave. The chapter “Race, Place, and Vulnerability: Urban Neighborhoods and the Ecology of Support” focuses on specific racial/ethnic communities in the urban environment.   

Translated Materials:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Extreme Heat: This CDC website provides a variety of heat-related resources. English, Chinese, French, German, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

• National Agriculture Safety Database- Heat Stress: This flyer providers the reader with information to identify symptoms of heat stroke and exhaustion and the emergency procedures for both. English, Spanish

• Ready New York- Beat the Heat Guide: This brochure provides information on heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and respiratory problems and provides tips to stay cool and conserve energy. English; Chinese; Haitian Creole; Korean; Russian; Spanish

• Heat Waves: This handout provides information on heat waves associated health conditions such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat strokes. English; Arabic; Bosnian; Somali; Spanish

• Power Outages: This handout provides information on power outages and tips to mitigate their potential health effects.  English; Arabic; Chinese Simplified; Chinese Traditional; French; Hindi; Japanese; Korean; Russian; Somali; Spanish; Vietnamese