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Cited by 221Climate Change and Health ImpactsThermoregulation and physiological responsesEffects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock

Heat-Related Deaths — United States, 2004–2018

Open access
Vaidyanathan, Ambarish, Malilay, Josephine, Schramm, Paul, Saha, Shubhayu·2020·MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
DOI 10.15585/mmwr.mm6924a1PMC PMC7302478
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Abstract

Deaths attributable to natural heat exposure, although generally considered preventable (1), represent a continuing public health concern in the United States.During 2004-2018, an average of 702 heat-related deaths occurred in the United States annually.To study patterns in heat-related deaths by age group, sex, race/ethnicity, and level of urbanization, and to explore comorbid conditions associated with deaths resulting from heat exposure, CDC analyzed nationally comprehensive mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS).*The rate of heat-related mortality tended to be higher among males, persons aged ≥65 years, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Natives, and persons living in noncore nonmetropolitan and large central metropolitan counties.Natural heat exposure was a contributing cause of deaths attributed to certain chronic medical conditions and other external causes.Preparedness and response initiatives directed toward extreme heat events, currently underway at local, state, and national levels, can contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with natural heat exposure.Successful public health interventions † to mitigate heat-related deaths include conducting outreach to vulnerable communities to increase awareness of heat-related symptoms and provide guidance for staying cool and hydrated, particularly for susceptible groups at risk such as young athletes and persons who are older or socially isolated (2).Improved coordination across various health care sectors could inform local activities to protect health during periods of high heat.For instance, jurisdictions can monitor weather conditions and syndromic surveillance data to guide timing of risk communication and other measures (e.g., developing and implementing heat response plans, facilitating communication and education activities) to prevent heat-related mortality in the United States.CDC also recommends that federal, state, local, and tribal jurisdictions open cooling centers or provide

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  • The 175 largest US cities cover about 65% of the total population and are also where most US heat-related deaths have occurred in the last 15 years.

    “These 175 largest US cities cover ~65% of the total population (see Supplementary Fig. 1) and are also where most US heat-related deaths have occurred in the last 15 years42.”

    From Disproportionate exposure to urban heat island intensity across major US cities (2021) · cites this paper as [42]

    Table 2 reports heat-related deaths by county urbanization level for 2004–2018: 4,402 of 10,527 occurred in large central metropolitan counties, and 1,607 in large fringe metropolitan counties. That supports a concentration in metropolitan areas, but the paper does not identify the 175 cities or establish that most deaths occurred within them. The ~65% population figure is attributed to the citing paper’s supplementary figure, not this source. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • There is evidence of disparities in heat-related health outcomes across the USA and for individual cities.

    “There is, however, evidence of disparities in heat-related health outcomes across the USA and for individual cities42,57.”

    From Disproportionate exposure to urban heat island intensity across major US cities (2021) · cites this paper as [42]

    The paper reports US-wide disparities in heat-related mortality by race/ethnicity and level of urbanization (Table 2). It does not report findings for individual cities; metropolitan county categories do not establish city-specific disparities. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Between 2004 and 2018, 39% of heat-related deaths in the USA occurred in ages 65 years or older.

    “Between 2004 and 2018, 39% of heat-related deaths in the USA occurred in ages 65 years or older42.”

    From Disproportionate exposure to urban heat island intensity across major US cities (2021) · cites this paper as [42]

  • Ref. 42 found higher heat-related mortality rates among non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives and Blacks than for non-Hispanic whites at the national level.

    “More recently, ref. 42 found higher heat-related mortality rates among non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives and Blacks than for non-Hispanic whites at the national level.”

    From Disproportionate exposure to urban heat island intensity across major US cities (2021) · cites this paper as [42]

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Authors
Vaidyanathan, A., Malilay, J., Schramm, P., & Saha, S.
Affiliations
National Center for Environmental Health (US)
Corresponding author
Vaidyanathan, Ambarish
ORCID
Venue
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Publisher
Centers for Disease Control MMWR Office
Published
2020-06-19
Volume
69
Issue
24
Pages
729-734
ISSN
  • 0149-2195 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-861X
DOI
10.15585/mmwr.mm6924a1
PMC
PMC7302478
OpenAlex
W3036370409
Cited by
221
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 38 · 2025: 40 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 3
FWCI
9.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Climate Change and Health Impacts
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Thermoregulation and physiological responses
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock
Keywords
heat-related mortality, extreme heat, age and sex differences, racial and ethnic disparities, urbanization, comorbidities, cooling centers, vulnerable populations, heat preparedness
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cause of Death, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Hot Temperature, Humans, Infant, Male, Middle Aged, United States, Young Adult

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