ARIZONA NEWS

Metro Phoenix heat-associated death toll jumps to 133, up 44 in past week

Aug 23, 2023, 3:00 PM

A member of the Phoenix Heat Response Program places a sign directing those who need water and othe...

A member of the Phoenix Heat Response Program places a sign directing those who need water and other items to a hydration station on July 20, 2023. Maricopa County confirmed 133 heat-associated deaths so far this year, according to data released Aug. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) A member of the Phoenix Heat Response Program places a sign odirecting those who need water and other items to a hydration station on July 20, 2023, in Phoenix. Maricopa County confirmed 133 heat-associated deaths so far this year, according to data released Aug. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

PHOENIX – Valley officials have confirmed 133 heat-associated deaths in 2023, a jump of 44 in the past week, according to data released Wednesday.

Another 341 cases remain under investigation, according to the latest Maricopa County Department of Public Health weekly report.

Wednesday’s report covers cases through the year’s 33rd week, which ended Saturday. The previous week’s report showed 89 heat-associated deaths confirmed and 349 cases under investigation.

The latest numbers are significantly higher than they were at the same time in 2022, when 82 heat-associated deaths were confirmed and 265 were under investigation through 33 weeks.

Maricopa County finished 2022 with a record 425 heat-associated deaths, a 25% increase from 2022.

Phoenix, the state and county’s largest city, endured its hottest July ever this year, but the 2023 number of confirmed heat-associated deaths trailed last year’s pace until two weeks ago.

On Aug. 11, Gov. Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency in response to this summer’s record temperatures.

How do Valley officials determine heat-associated deaths?

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health comes up with its heat-associated death figures by adding together heat-caused deaths, in which heat or heat exposure is listed on the death certificate as the primary cause, with heat-related deaths, in which heat exposure is listed as a secondary cause.

Of this year’s confirmed deaths, 72 are classified as heat-caused and 61 as heat-related.

Totals can change dramatically during the course of investigations that often include toxicology tests that can take months, so the latest reports don’t reflect the true toll of this summer’s extreme heat.

More statistics about 2023 heat-associated deaths

A third of this year’s 59 heat-associated deaths are in the 50-64 age group.

Thirty-two of the deaths, about a quarter of the total, occurred indoors. Air conditioning wasn’t present in two of those cases. Where air conditioning existed, the unit wasn’t working in 27 cases, it wasn’t in use for two, and the power was out for one.

When broken down by living situation, 50% of 2023’s heat-associated deaths were classified as non-homeless, 41% as homeless and 9% were unknown.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

77° | 55°
61° and clear

Arizona News

Peoria Police department...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Peoria police search for vandals who caused $30-40K worth of park damage

The Peoria Police Department is asking the public for help in finding the suspect responsible for vandalizing and causing tens of thousands of dollars of damage to a local park.

7 hours ago

Phoenix-Pittsburgh nonstop flight offered through Allegiant...

Serena O'Sullivan

Fly high: Phoenix travelers getting new nonstop flight option for Pittsburgh through Allegiant

Planning a business trip? You can now book a Phoenix-Pittsburgh nonstop flight through Allegiant at Sky Harbor International Airport.

8 hours ago

fentanyl pills, fentanyl bust Phoenix...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Phoenix man charged after police seized 100,000 fentanyl pills

A man in Phoenix was pulled over by police during a routine traffic stop, which led to the seizure of about 100,000 blue fentanyl pills.

9 hours ago

Thomas Galvin AZ Political Podcast...

Jim Sharpe

AZ Political Podcast: Thomas Galvin on public funding for sports teams, speed of election results

On this week's edition of AZ Political Podcast, Thomas Galvin discusses public funding for sports teams and how election results can be sped up.

10 hours ago

US 60 between Superior and Miami will be closed until Friday due to blasting work that was performe...

David Veenstra

US 60 between Superior, Miami reopens following blasting

US 60 between Superior and Miami has reopened following blasting work that was performed in the area.

11 hours ago

Maricopa County 1 of 4 pharmacists sentenced for fraud...

Serena O'Sullivan

Maricopa County pharmacist among 4 sentenced in fraud conspiracy

A Maricopa County pharmacist named Raef Hamaed was one of four pharmacists sentenced for their roles in a $13 million conspiracy, officials said.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

Metro Phoenix heat-associated death toll jumps to 133, up 44 in past week