Experts stress the importance of a heat plan as fall arrives in communities

Heat-related deaths are a significant issue in the United States, with approximately 2,300 deaths recorded last year, the majority of them in states like California. However, a study from Texas A&M suggests that the actual number of heat-related deaths could be as high as 11,000. A new pilot program in California aims to revamp the heat warning system to provide more timely information to communities, enabling them to implement immediate heat protocols to protect individuals. Efforts such as planting more trees, increasing air conditioning accessibility, and establishing cooling centers are being made to combat the effects of extreme heat. Research in the publication Nature discusses how an individual’s physiology could impact how they react to temperature and humidity, and proposes the idea of personalized weather apps to give detailed information on safe outdoor activities. Los Angeles, along with Los Angeles County, is expected to release Heat Action Plans, with support from the state of California’s Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program. UCLA has received funding to establish a Center for Heat Resilient Communities, which will work with 30 communities over the next three years to develop strategies for heat resilience. These initiatives aim to reduce heat-related deaths and create more resilient communities nationwide.

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