Study: US Heat-Related Deaths Could Triple by 2065

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania published in JAMA Network Open warns that extreme temperature-related deaths in the U.S. could double or even triple by mid-century due to climate change. Currently, over 8,000 deaths annually are linked to extreme temperatures, but projections indicate this could rise to 19,300 under a lower emissions scenario and 26,500 under a higher emissions scenario by 2065. The study highlights that while cold-related deaths may decrease, the increase in heat-related fatalities will outweigh this decline, particularly affecting older adults, Black, and Hispanic communities. Researchers utilized historical temperature and mortality data from 2008 to 2019 to make their predictions, emphasizing the need for urgent climate action. The findings underline that certain demographics will face disproportionate risks, exacerbating existing health disparities. This alarming trend calls for immediate policy interventions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.