Why Should I be Concerned About Heat Stress?
Heat-related health problems range from mild conditions like heat rash and heat cramps, to the most serious heat-related illness of heat stroke. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause dizziness and fatigue, leading to injuries such as falls and other accidents. Heat stress is caused by the body's inability to cool down properly and can happen to anyone.
- Hospitalizations for heat-related illness in Washington state range from 25 to 113 people each year; about 50% are people ages 65 and older. Heat stress is tracked from May to September.
- More hospitalizations happened in 2006 and 2009 when temperatures were above average.
- Extreme heat events (heat waves) are predicted to happen more often and last longer due to our changing climate.
People at higher risk for heat-related illness:
- People 65 years of age and older.
- Infants and children up to 4 years of age.
- People who are overweight.
- People who are ill or on certain medications.
View the Data
View WTN's climate change projections.
Reduce Exposure
To learn more about how to prevent heat-related illness, visit our hot weather safety webpage.
Additional Resources
Extreme Heat in Washington State
Climate Change and Heat Indicators, CDC
Heat Stress in the Workplace, CDC
Heat Stress and Urban Heat Island, EPA
People at Increased Risk for Heat-related Illness, CDC
Preventing and Tracking Heat Stress, CDC
Contact Us
For information or questions related to the Washington Tracking Network, email DOH.WTN@doh.wa.gov.
Let Us Know How You Used the Data
We love hearing about how our data is being used to make an impact on the health of Washingtonians. It also helps us to know what is meeting our users’ needs and how we can improve the information we provide. If you used our data, please tell us about it by sending an email to DOH.WTN@doh.wa.gov.
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