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New Hi-Tech Tools Helping Fight Dangerous Heat

The U.S. government defines extreme heat conditions as a period in which the temperatures stay above 90 degrees, with high humidity, for at least two to three days. When the heat index reaches 105 degrees or higher, conditions can become dangerous for both people and pets.
The U.S. government defines extreme heat conditions as a period in which the temperatures stay above 90 degrees, with high humidity, for at least two to three days. When the heat index reaches 105 degrees or higher, conditions can become dangerous for both people and pets.

One new tool gives a color-coded seven day forecast to know when outside temperatures and conditions become dangerous.

New or improved tools are now available to help people navigate through sometimes dangerously hot conditions outside. These services are provided on both the national and state level.

The Louisiana Department of Health launched what it calls a suite of new resources on Monday, June 24, to help Louisianans stay safe during the hot summer months. These resources include an expanded public-facing heat-related illness dashboard and a collection of new heat-related health guidance documents.
The Louisiana Department of Health launched what it calls a suite of new resources on Monday, June 24, to help Louisianans stay safe during the hot summer months. These resources include an expanded public-facing heat-related illness dashboard and a collection of new heat-related health guidance documents.

The Louisiana Department of Health has expanded its Heat-Related Illness: Data Dashboard and Guidance. Dr. Sundee Winder is the executive director of Public Health Preparedness within the Louisiana Department of Health. She says their dashboard will now include trends on how the high temperatures impact individuals. “This year we’ve expanded the tool. We made it easier to identify the data, look at demographics, look at specific parishes, regions, etc.”
Dr. Winder says she hopes the dashboard will raise awareness of how the heat can impact your health. “Last year we saw 88 fatalities and those are all preventable. And so we want to get the message out to prevent death. We want to prevent heat-related illnesses, as well.” Included with the dashboard are tips on how to avoid heat-related illnesses and guides for employers.

The HeatRisk Map is an experimental color-numeric-based index that provides a forecast risk of heat-related impacts to occur over a 24-hour period.
The HeatRisk Map is an experimental color-numeric-based index that provides a forecast risk of heat-related impacts to occur over a 24-hour period.

The other new tool in the fight against heat-related illnesses comes from a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As Drew Hawkins, with the Gulf States Newsroom reports, the agencies recently unveiled what they call HeatRisk.
The online system is designed to be simple and easy to use according to Dr. Aaron Bernstein, the Director of the National Center for Environmental Health at the CDC. “And it will give you a seven day forecast that’s color-coded that will really help understand when temperatures are too hot for health.”

Excessive heat and humidity can quickly lead to heat related illness, or even death. It's important to know the signs of heat related illness. If you experience ANY of the symptoms below, please find assistance immediately.
Source: NOAA/NWS
Excessive heat and humidity can quickly lead to heat related illness, or even death. It's important to know the signs of heat related illness. If you experience ANY of the symptoms below, please find assistance immediately.

For some context, the U.S. government defines extreme heat conditions as a period in which the temperatures stay above 90 degrees, with high humidity, for at least two to three days. When the heat index reaches 105 degrees or higher, conditions can become dangerous for both people and pets.
With HeatRisk, the colors range from light green for little to no risk, to magenta for extreme heat. And the website makes recommendations on whether it’s safe to spend time outside in your area. “If it has to be on a magenta day,” Dr. Bernstein suggests, “let’s do it early in the morning or late at night.”
HeatRisk combines temperature data with heat-related emergency response information and also offers air quality updates. This feature can help people with health conditions to decide if being outside is safe for them at that time. The CDC website cites NOAA/NWS, which cautions that HeatRisk “is an experimental product and is not supported 24/7. Changes may occur without advance notice.”

*The Gulf States Newsroom is a partnership among public radio stations in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, and a graduate of the University of Washington, Jeff began his on-air broadcasting career 33 years ago in the Black Hills of South Dakota as a general assignment reporter.
Drew Hawkins is the health equity reporter for the Gulf States Newsroom, a collaboration among public radio stations in Louisiana (WWNO and WRKF), Alabama (WBHM) and Mississippi (MPB-Mississippi Public Broadcasting) and NPR.