PHX Reporter

There were 28 heat-associated deaths in the week ending July 15, according to Maricopa County Morbidity Reports. Two deaths were confirmed to be caused by the blistering heat, and the others are under investigation by the medical examiner. 

 So far this heat season, 18 people have passed away either due to the heat or heat-related causes. There are currently 69 other deaths under investigation. 

 Of the 18 confirmed deaths, 61% were White, 22% were Hispanic or Latino, 11% were Asian or Pacific Islander, and 6% of deaths occurred in people identified as American Indian/Alaska Native.

The weekly report showed that 33% of the fatalities happened to people 75-year-old or older. People between the ages of 65 and 74 accounted for the second highest number of deaths (28%), while the 35-49 and 50-64 age groups each had a 17% share of the total deaths so far in 2023. The smallest percentage of deaths by age range was those between the ages of five and 19, accounting for 6% of heat-related fatalities. 

Additionally, 67% of heat-related deaths happened to people who had shelter, whether it be their own place to live or somewhere they shared.  

So far, in 2023, there have been less heat-associated deaths compared to the year before. This year, there have been 18 confirmed deaths with 69 currently under investigation, while at the same time in 2022 there were 29 confirmed deaths with 193 under investigation.

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

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.

Despite the difference in heat-related fatalities, weather in Maricopa County is hotter this year than last year. A sweltering heat wave is currently baking much of the area and the southern U.S. A record-breaking heatwave has persisted for more than three weeks. 

Phoenix, which is the seat of Maricopa County, is considered the hottest city in the U.S. Records at Current Results, Phoenix is the only large U.S. city to suffer more than 100 days of 100-degree heat.

The enhanced heat surveillance season usually begins in May and ends in October. Weekly Heat Surveillance reports are provided by Maricopa County during the enhanced heat surveillance season from the beginning of May to the end of October. 

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.