The Impact of Heat on Health Inequity: Risks Amplified

Extreme heat worsens health inequity, particularly impacting individuals with conditions like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Vulnerable communities face higher exposure to heat, limited resources to address or escape it, and higher rates of diseases that make heat more dangerous. Risk factors such as cardiovascular conditions, obesity, and diabetes can overload weakened hearts or lungs, impairing the body's response to heat. Medications commonly taken for heart disease can also worsen heat symptoms. Marginalized communities often lack trees and public parks, leading to higher temperatures. Planting trees, creating shaded areas, and using reflective roofing materials could help mitigate the impact of extreme heat.