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A Closer Look at Heat-Related Illness and Deaths: Who’s Most Vulnerable and What are Coping Strategies for Communities

Dr. Paul English, director of PHI’s Tracking California program, joined a live interview with KCBS to discuss extreme heat illnesses and deaths, who’s most vulnerable and what people and communities can do to mitigate the effects of high temperatures.

  • KCBS Radio
older woman wiping face with towel and taking break from heat

“Heat-related illnesses and deaths are on the rise, along with temperatures that continue to set records year after year. But data shows that other factors can compound with hot temperatures, making heat waves even more deadly for already vulnerable groups.

To tell us more, KCBS Radio’s Patti Reising spoke with Paul English, director of Tracking California at the Public Health Institute.”

“One of the things we’re seeing is that, we’re finding that the timing of heat waves really contributes to deaths due to heat. When we have heat waves early in the season, people aren’t climatized and those are more deadly. Also, rising night time temperatures. If it doesn’t cool off during the night, that really doesn’t allow the body to recuperate.” – Dr. Paul English, director of Tracking California at the Public Health Institute.

Paul English
Unhoused populations, along with outdoor workers, construction workers, you know these are some of the most vulnerable populations including farmworkers that work outside. These individuals they may have some of these other risk factors. They're exposed during the hottest times of the day. The unhoused populations they don't really have shelter to go to which you really have to do during the key peak hours. Paul English, PhD, MPH

Director, Tracking California, Public Health Institute

To listen to the full interview, click on the link below.

Originally published by KCBS Radio


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