As temperatures break records, many are unaware of symptoms of heat-related illnesses
A new survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that more of the U.S. public sees the link between extreme heat and climate change, but not all extreme heat risks are understood by all.
With NASA data showing that July 22, 2024, was the hottest day on record and indications that July may have been the hottest month, an Annenberg Public Policy Center survey conducted in mid-July finds that most people know three of the symptoms of a heat-related illness but do not know the location of their nearest cooling center. At the same time, increasing numbers of people think that heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense and affecting their daily activities.
Although the locations of cooling centers, or indoor air-conditioned facilities such as libraries, community and senior centers, and schools are publicized by city governments on hot days, many of those surveyed report being unaware of where to find one. Two-thirds of respondents say they do not know the location of a cooling center to which they could go to in case of extreme heat, a number statistically unchanged from last November. “Communities must do a better job of making the public, especially the most vulnerable, aware of these centers,” says Ken Winneg, managing director of survey research at APPC.
When compared with an APPC survey in November 2023, significantly more people now say that climate change is increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses, respiratory diseases, and insect-borne diseases. More people indicate that heat waves in the United States are becoming more frequent and intense than in the past.
Thinking about the next 10 years, just under 6 in 10 think that people in their community will be more likely to experience heat stroke caused by extreme heat waves. This is significantly higher than in November 2023 when just over half said they thought people in their community would be more likely to experience heat stroke caused by extreme heat waves in the next 10 years.
However, only 3 in 10 know that a pregnant person in the U.S. who is exposed to extreme heat is more likely to deliver their baby early than a pregnant person who is not exposed to extreme heat. Notably, the survey finds that most people also know three of the telltale signs of heat-related illnesses, which includes dizziness, nausea, and hot, red, and dry skin or cold, pale, and clammy skin.
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