The federal government has launched a website designed to provide information to the public and officials on extreme heat in their regions and how to address and mitigate its deadly impacts, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced recently.
Heat.gov launched July 26, the DOC announced at the time, as a "one-stop hub on heat and health" to furnish "clear, timely and science-based information" on the health risks of extreme heat. Extreme heat kills more than 700 people a year in the U.S., the DOC reports, more than extreme cold, hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes, and has been the deadliest weather event for the past 30 years.
"In addition, the heat crisis does not affect people equally," the DOC states in the announcement. "Extreme heat mortality disproportionately affects Native American and Black communities, as well as those living in the urban core or very rural neighborhoods," the DOC reports, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The site features maps, data, forecasts and other heat-related information from agencies within and outside of the federal government, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the new national Climate and Health Outlook and the CDC’s Heat and Health Tracker. News on NIHHIS programs, events, news reports, funding opportunities and ways to serve at-risk communities is also featured on the site.
“For far too long, our most vulnerable populations are the ones who bear the brunt of extreme heat,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the annoucement. “Heat.gov provides real tools and resources that can help people who are suffering. This is one more important step the Administration is taking to address climate change’s impact on our health and our lives.”
The DOC announcement states launching heat.gov is "just the latest measure" by the Biden-Harris administration to address extreme heat, which is a "top priority," according to Secretary Gina Raimondo.
"As extreme heat conditions impact millions of Americans," Raimondo said in the announcement, "this site will help ensure that all our communities, including our most vulnerable, have access to the data, tools and resources they need to mitigate heat impacts.”
White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy called heat.gov "an exciting new and accessible website designed to help everyone become engaged with their community, their state-level government, and federal partners, to take actions that can reduce the deadly health impacts of extreme heat.”
"Extreme heat is a silent killer," McCarthy said, "yet it affects more Americans than any other weather emergency – particularly our nation’s most vulnerable.”
