While extreme temperatures become more frequent throughout the United States, millions of Americans are being impacted by severe health consequences. High temperatures are resulting in unsafe peaks, and the electric grids are not keeping pace. This leaves little electricity available for air conditioning, fans, or even life-preserving medical equipment on the most sweltering days. But nobody is suffering equally. Vulnerable populations such as the elderly, manual laborers, and lower-income families are the most impacted.
Heat is the most lethal type of extreme weather in the U.S., claiming more lives than tornadoes and floods combined. Heat waves, if they cause drought, health issues, and mortality, may be exacerbated if one lacks cool indoor shelters. Climate change is also making the heat waves more regular and severe. The world's cities are warming more quickly than rural regions because of the "urban heat island" effect, which is the way buildings and concrete hold and retain heat. This exposes the world's cities, and poor areas with little green cover in particular, to greater danger.
Old people are particularly at risk during heatwaves. As the body ages, it doesn't cope with heat as efficiently. Some may not even feel thirsty when dehydrated. Most older people also have underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or respiratory disease that put them in more danger during the heatwave. A report from the Center for American Progress highlights the fact that many old people live alone and may not have anyone to check in on them in the event of a heat crisis. Others also rely on electricity to power medical equipment, like oxygen machines. If the power is out, their lives are at risk.
Outdoor workers face the heatwave daily. Construction laborers, farm laborers, mail carriers, and gardeners work long periods under the open sky. Without adequate breaks, shade, and water, the laborers are greatly subjected to heat ailments. The majority of outdoor workers are low-wage workers. A few of them may not feel free to complain if their supervisors don't give them water or rest breaks. Others just may not know about their rights. In many states, there are still no laws protecting workers from extreme heat.
Low-income families struggle with expensive air conditioning operation. High energy bills might be beyond the reach of families already stretched to pay their rent or buy food. As a result, some forego air conditioning or resort to unsafe substitutes. In neighborhoods with poor housing, the conditions are even more dire. Without insulation, central air, or windows that open, old structures turn into ovens during a heatwave.
Solutions include: investing in cooling centers (accessible schools, libraries, recreational centers with transportation and advance warning), updating the energy grid (energy storage, clean energy), supporting energy assistance programs (LIHEAP), protecting outdoor workers (laws requiring water/shade/breaks, heat illness training), improving housing conditions (building codes for insulation/cool roofs/ventilation, more trees/parks/shaded bus stops), and calling or visiting the elderly during heat emergencies.