645 heat-associated deaths in Maricopa County, AZ, a 52% increase from 2022, primarily affecting older adults.

In Arizona's most populous county, Maricopa, a record-breaking 645 heat-associated deaths occurred last year, a 52% increase from 2022. Two-thirds of the deaths involved individuals aged 50 or older, and 71% occurred on days with excessive heat warnings. The preliminary report by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health alarmed officials and raised concerns about the need to protect vulnerable groups, such as homeless people and older adults, from the blistering summer heat.

March 13, 2024
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