PHX Reporter

Despite statistics indicating that 45% of heat-related deaths in Maricopa County occur among homeless individuals and with 65% of heat-related deaths involving drugs or alcohol, the county's "2024 Heat Relief Efforts" plan is absent of measures that address these factors because heat-related deaths "often overlap with many other issues facing our communities," according to the county's department of Public Health. 

Sonia Singh, Marketing Communications Supervisor and Public Information Officer for Public Health in Maricopa County, defended the county's approach,  emphasizing the importance of data analysis to inform partnerships and interventions aimed at preventing heat-related illnesses and deaths. 

“Complex issues take complex solutions, and our work is one piece of the puzzle. We are proud to shed light on details of public health issues and further partnerships where we can be part of the solution,” Singh told PHX Reporter.   

“Heat-related deaths, along with many other public health concerns, often overlap with many other issues facing our communities.” 

Singh noted that over the past year, Maricopa County has actively sought feedback from both patrons of cooling centers and the broader community. The cooling centers, open May 1-Sept. 30, are usually located in community, senior or religious facilities, and accommodate up to 1,500 county residents daily.

Several Phoenix non-profits do provide care short of housing for the city’s homeless population. However, death rates in the population are rising due to exposure to heat with June temperatures reaching 110 degrees. 

During 2022, Arizona recorded 359 deaths directly attributed to heat, along with an additional 671 fatalities linked to heat-related causes, while over 4,325 individuals sought medical assistance for heat-related ailments. 

In 2023, the state saw temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 31 consecutive days and 73 days for the season.

In March of this year, Gov. Katie Hobbs unveiled an "Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan" and appointed the nation's inaugural state "Chief Heat Officer" to address escalating temperatures and associated challenges. 

The City of Phoenix established a "Chief Heat Officer" in 2021. 

Critics have denounced the "Chief Heat Officer" position as an attempt to divert attention from failed border and drug policies. 

That position was developed by the Adrienne Arsht Resilience Center, a project by the left-leaning Rockefeller Foundation. The World Economic Forum said the role is designed to “address rising temperatures driven by climate change.”

In 2023, the Hobbs Administration joined the U.S. Climate Alliance. This coalition, which includes 25 governors, for a 26-28% reduction in emissions by 2025 and a 50-52% reduction by 2030. 

Following Hobbs’ declaration of a “heat emergency” in August 2023, U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Phoenix), a candidate for U.S. Senate, introduced legislation to add “extreme heat” to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) list of major disaster qualifying events.