Alarming number of heat-related deaths in 2024 is being investigated

PHOENIX — Extreme heat continues to affect Arizona. At this point in the summer, the number of confirmed heat deaths and deaths under investigation in Maricopa County has surpassed last year’s numbers. ABC15 asked county and state officials about the status of their heat response efforts and whether they are making changes.

County data shows that people have lost their lives this year due to extreme heat in homes, businesses and on sidewalks.

“It’s too hot,” Jennifer Ruiz told ABC15 outside a cooling center.

Maricopa County is experiencing a disturbing number of heat-related deaths. There have been 14 confirmed deaths so far this year, but over 230 deaths are still under investigation in the county. During the same period last year, there were about 100 deaths under investigation and 12 confirmed heat-related deaths.

“We use all of this data to provide information to the heat relief network,” said Dr. Nick Staab.

Dr. Staab is the deputy medical director for the county health department. He told ABC15 that Maricopa County is relying on cooling centers and increasing the use of 211 service. He also said they are looking at other data, such as heat-related illnesses, to see where resources are needed.

“So we are seeing very high numbers and we know we had a record-breaking hot June,” said Dr. Staab.

He said that when looking at this data, there is still capacity in their heat relief network.

“We have space and there are still resources for people to use these cool spaces,” Dr. Staab said. “So we’re really focused on making sure people know about those resources and that they have that plan.”

The district urges the population to check for people at risk and take the usual measures, such as ensuring adequate fluid intake.

At the state level, the Department of Health is now publishing biweekly video blogs about its response to the heat. The most recent one was posted on Tuesday.

“We continue to conduct weekly heat plans with the Governor’s Office of Resiliency to promote awareness and collaboration,” Eugene Livar said in the video.

Livar is Arizona’s first Heat Director and was appointed to the position this year.

As part of the state’s response to the heat, “Cooltainers” were installed at 18 locations across the state last month. In Phoenix, one is near the State Capitol.

“I called 211 and they told me we could go to the cooling center so we wouldn’t get too hot in the summer,” said Ruiz, who used the Cooltainer with another person on Thursday.

Ruiz said she previously lived in an area of ​​downtown Phoenix known as “The Zone” and cooling centers helped her cope with the extreme heat.

“I can come here and cool off, and then I can walk to the next place I need to visit,” Ruiz said.

But ABC15 wanted to know what other actions the state was taking. Last month, our team requested an interview with Livar. At the time, ABC15 was told that the AZDHS would try to include our questions and Livar’s answers in the video updates.

ABC15 requested an interview again on Thursday and sent additional questions. Once AZDHS sends a response, ABC15 will update this story.