PHX Reporter

Despite a sweltering heat wave finally breaking, roughly 90 people in Maricopa County died due to heat-related issues in the week ending July 29, according to Maricopa County Morbidity Reports. 

The number of confirmed heat-associated deaths rose significantly in the last week, from 25 deaths to 39. There are currently 312 other deaths under investigation by the coroner.

Of the 39 confirmed deaths, 62% were White, 18% were Hispanic or Latino, 10% were Black or African American, 5% were Asian or Pacific Islander, and 5% of deaths occurred in people identified as American Indian/Alaska Native.

The weekly report showed that people between the ages of 65 and 74 were the most vulnerable to the heat, accounting for 28% of confirmed heat-associated deaths. The 50-64 and 75+ age groups each suffered 26% of the confirmed deaths. People between 35-49 made up 18% of fatalities, and those between five and 19-years-old accounted for 3% of deaths. No one has died in the 0-4 or 20-34 age range. 

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 39 confirmed deaths, with 312 currently under investigation, while at the same time, in 2022, there were 42 confirmed deaths, with 282 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 baked much of the area for 31 days, and this year has seen the most 115-degree days ever in a calendar year. 

The daytime high fell slightly last week to below 110-degrees, but the area is still under an excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service. 

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.