Unveiling the Challenges in Reporting on Heat

In the sweltering summer months, extreme heat can pose a significant threat to public health, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and pregnant women. This silent emergency, however, does not receive the same level of coverage as other disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, or floods.

Recent reports by Associated Press and other notable publications have shed light on the issue, weaving quotes from meteorologists into daily life narratives around the Northeast and the Southwest. For instance, a New York Times story described the physical harm heat can inflict, from pavement burns and severe burns that damage bones and muscles, to the tragic loss of life.

In 2022, a series from the Los Angeles Times revealed that California regularly undercounts its heat deaths. The report mapped out the unequal distribution of heat across the city, with hotter temperatures in the poorest, most concrete-bound areas. This pattern was also observed in Las Vegas, where the city experiences extremely hot summers that can be deadly.

Local news stories inform readers about the signs of heatstroke, medications that inhibit the body's heat regulation, and legal rights during heat waves. Freelance photojournalists like Caitlin O'Hara in Phoenix and Bridget Bennett, who publishes in the New York Times and the Washington Post, capture the urgency of heat in their photos. Bennett, in particular, focuses on vulnerable individuals, such as those without permanent shelter, who labor outdoors, or who wait at bus stops because they don't have cars.

The toll that heat takes on a body is not always visible, but it can lead to increased emergency room visits from people with underlying health issues that are exacerbated by the heat. Chronic health problems like kidney disease can also emerge as a result of prolonged exposure to extreme heat, as reported by photojournalist Ed Kashi.

In an effort to combat the effects of extreme heat, local journalists follow their city's lead on informing the public about extreme heat, with varying triggers for warnings. Meteorologists measure regular old air temperature, apparent temperature (what heat feels like to the human body), and wet-bulb globe temperature (combining temperature, sunlight, humidity, and wind).

Despite the deadly consequences of extreme heat, the Federal Emergency Management Agency does not consider it worthy of federal funding, despite it killing more people annually in the US than any other weather-related disaster. By mid-June, heat was confirmed to have contributed to the deaths of three Clark County residents this year, with the number likely to rise as summer continues.

Physical destruction from extreme heat is less common, but can include sagging power lines, strained electrical grids, and occasionally, as in London's Luton airport runway melting in 2022 and roads in Washington State buckling and cracking in 2021.

Journalists themselves are not immune to the dangers of extreme heat. They should take heat precautions when reporting, such as staying hydrated, staying cool, wearing protective clothing, and bringing snacks and water. Freelance photojournalist Bridget Bennett advises people to modify their routine during extreme heat to avoid direct sun and the middle of the day, and to minimize risks if working outside.

Recent reporting has also highlighted the collision of extreme heat and housing insecurity, finding that sprawling home development in Arizona increases emissions and worsens the heat. This underscores the need for comprehensive solutions that address both the environmental and public health aspects of extreme heat.

In conclusion, extreme heat is a weather and public health emergency that demands our attention. By understanding its impact and taking necessary precautions, we can help protect ourselves and our communities from its harmful effects.