PHX Reporter

   There were five heat-associated deaths in the week ending June 17, according to Maricopa County Morbidity Reports. The medical examiner is investigating these deaths. 

    During this heat season, five deaths were confirmed to be caused by the heat, and one was heat-related. The 32 other deaths are currently under investigation.

    Of the six confirmed deaths, 40% were Hispanic or Latino, and 60% were White. Additionally, 60% of heat-related deaths happened to those considered homeless. 

    So far, in 2023, there have been less heat-associated deaths compared to the year before. This year, 32 deaths are under investigation, with six confirmed, while at that same time, in 2022, there were 62 deaths under investigation, with six confirmed. 

    Last year, the first heat-associated death also happened in March, one month earlier than in 2023.  

   The enhanced heat surveillance season usually begins in May and ends in October.  These reports are part of Maricopa County’s weekly Heat Surveillance reports, provided during the “heat season” each year.

   Maricopa County reported a total of 425 heat-associated deaths in 2022, a 25% increase from 2021. More than half of those 2022 deaths occurred in the month of July.

Cooling and hydration stations in Maricopa County are open to the public throughout the heat season. For more information on heat, please visit http://heataz.org.