2024 Arizona Heat Summit      

Over 200 health and community professionals attended the 2024 Arizona Heat Summit on October 23^rd to discuss our most recent heat season and consider revisions to the state heat plan. Several AzNA Climate Change and Health Workgroup members and partners attended. Below are some takeaways from attendees and comments heard during the sessions offered throughout the day.

• In 2024, Phoenix had 142 days over 100 degrees in Phoenix (a 113-day streak from May 27^th to September 16^th), and Tucson had 114 days over 100 degrees (so far). Phoenix had 62 days over 110 degrees. The average is 21 days.
• 70% of 2024 emergency department visits for heat-related illness were in males; 50% were 18-44 years old.
• 69% who died from a heat-related issue in 2023 lived in Arizona for 20+ years
• In 2006, Maricopa County had 40 cooling centers; in 2024 there were 130 cooling centers
• NEW: Maricopa County Public Health Heat-Related Deaths Dashboard
• Tucson adopted Worker Heat Protection Ordinance and Heat Action Roadmap in 2024
• Arizona has established a heat tier system for action, works closely with the National Weather Services for warnings and action
• Overall, 1% of hospital visits are for heat-related illness
• 1/3 of 911 heat-related illness calls in Phoenix occurred when cooling centers were closed, resulting in the city extending cooling center and respite site hours, adding a 24/7 site.

VOTE: It’s Time

Voting is underway and we have created three documents to assist you in voting for climate champions, each a provided below.

• Understanding Candidate Positions About Climate Change & Health
• 2024 Voting Tool for Nurses: Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board
• 2024 Voting Tool for Nurses: Arizona Corporation Commission

ACTION: OSHA Protection of Workers from Extreme Heat

OSHA has released a long-overdue proposal for a new rule that better protects workers from the dangers of extreme heat.  Our summers are growing longer and hotter, as noted by those who attended the 2024 Arizona Heat Summit last Wednesday. Heat exposure has been linked to higher rates of preterm labor and stillbirths, heat stress, heat stroke, respiratory distress, and even heart failure.  Heat can also interact with many common medications with dangerous outcomes. Health professionals know that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can be deadly. Yet too many workers still lack basic protections like regular water breaks, access to shade, and rest periods.

We’ve been waiting a long time for federal heat standards and protections; act today by submitting your comments to OSHA.  It’s easy by using this link. Add your own words to this draft message.

What We Are Reading & Listening to this Week

• Ambient Air Pollution Exposure and Outcomes in Patients Receiving Lung Transplant (JAMA)
• ASU Receives Funding from US Dept of Energy to Tackle Climate Change by Removing Carbon From the Atmosphere (US Dept of Energy)
• Balancing water and energy (TroutUnlimited)

Join Us

• November 12^th: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm AzNA Climate Change & Health Workgroup monthly meeting Zoom Link
• March 1-4^th 2025: Our Planet, Our Health 2025 Climate Action Convention Washington DC Register

Thank you for joining us in making a healthier planet today!