Rising temperatures and massive heat waves are sweeping the nation this summer, affecting everyone, but specifically leaving the largest impact on older adults, outdoor workers, and low-income families. This has become a pressing issue in the past couple of years as many policies and laws have changed, affecting the climate drastically.
There are various factors that put specific populations at higher risk of being affected by heat waves this summer. First is location. Heat waves are currently hitting the Midwest, Plains, and Northeast, putting people who live in those areas at a higher risk of health concerns due to extreme heat. Second is existing medical conditions, which are more common in older populations, putting them at higher risk. Third is limited access to resources and care, which may be because of location, such as living in rural areas, or due to financial conditions; this factor targets low-income and outdoor working populations, such as farmers. Lastly are language or citizenship barriers, which restrict immigrant populations from receiving the medical care and resources they need to cope with the current heatwaves.
The body has systems and processes that help it cool down, but it needs rest and hydration to complete those processes. Many people are not well adapted to this kind of extreme heat as the places they live in don't usually get this hot. For example, Minnesota is known as the "icebox of the nation," but now temperatures are reaching the 90s in May. These extreme temperatures are hitting people and causing many heat-related illnesses, which can shut down key body systems, leading to long-term injury or death.
The Trump administration has impacted this situation heavily, with the creation of the Big Beautiful Bill. Due to this, funding has been cut for many crucial systems and programs that help prepare and respond to natural disasters, including heat waves. The cuts to the NOAA forecasting program, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program, and the CDC's climate and health program are reducing cities' abilities to predict and plan for dangerous weather. This is directly affecting low-income families throughout the nation since it is leaving states and cities without adequate tools to protect residents during these times.
Changes should be made to help protect the people at risk and cope with the extreme heat this summer. Some simple things that everyone can do are get involved locally with your community and regional leaders, join community councils to help build shelters, and make resources more readily available. Also, encouraging more people to grow gardens and plant trees will create more green spaces that will help counteract carbon emissions and greenhouse gases.