Soaring temperatures in July, August and September shattered global records, making this past summer the hottest documented in NASA’s 174-year climate record.
With extreme heat events having far-reaching consequences on public health, a new workgroup facilitated through the Water, Climate and Health Program at the UNMC College of Public Health is bringing together experts from across the Omaha and Lincoln area to address solutions to increasing heat risks.
Developed last summer, the Urban Heat Resilience Workgroup is addressing the many ways that heat can impact health and well-being.
“Heat is known as the silent killer because it exacerbates numerous health issues such as diabetes, asthma and heart conditions,” said Maizie Humm, climate and health resilience coordinator at the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and member of the new workgroup. “And the data shows that heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, but the burden of heat-related illness and death is not shared equally in our community.”
This effort brings together experts from fields including meteorology, academia, urban planning, transportation and community advocacy to develop comprehensive strategies to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on residents.
“Partnerships with a diverse group of stakeholders are key, from public health practitioners and researchers to city planners and community organizations,” said Kristina Kintziger, PhD, Claire M. Hubbard Professor of Environment and Health and workgroup member. “We need to not only understand the human impacts of extreme heat, but also apply this understanding to adaptation or mitigation projects that will make a difference and protect our residents.”
The workgroup provides a collaborative platform to discuss best practices in emergency response, share resources and tools and support ongoing research efforts.
A current workgroup effort between the National Weather Service and the Nebraska Environmental Public Health Tracking Program uses heat-related illness data to improve prevention and risk messaging to area residents when excessive heat warnings are issued.
Summer Woolsey, group facilitator and communications and outreach coordinator for the Water, Climate and Health Program said, “I’m encouraged by the collaboration already seen in our group and am looking forward to seeing how this group can help better prepare for and respond to excessive heat in our area, especially for the next heat season.”
For more information, visit the Water, Climate and Health Program website or email Summer Woolsey.