Metro Phoenix officials confirm first heat-related death of 2021

PHOENIX – Officials on Tuesday confirmed metro Phoenix’s first heat-related death of 2021, an “older male” who died at home without the air conditioning running.

“He was found in his home during a welfare check, and it’s just a tragic reminder that we all need to check on our neighbors, on our loved ones, make sure that their air conditioning is functioning and turned on and that they’re doing OK,” Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, Maricopa County medical director for disease control, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Sunenshine said it’s particularly important to check on seniors and people with medical conditions.

“Sometimes older individuals experience temperature different than other people,” she said.

The first heat death of 2021 in Maricopa County has been confirmed in a male older adult. This comes as Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) releases the 2020 heat report, with a record high of 323 heat-related deaths in 2020. Read more: https://t.co/ezfFopt3Ai pic.twitter.com/Ba8nthbiPn

— Public Health (@Maricopahealth) June 1, 2021

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health documented 323 heat-related deaths last year, the most since tracking started in 2001 and 62% more than the in 2019.

More than half of the 2020 heat-related deaths were among people experiencing homelessness, according to a press release.

About 15% of last year’s heat deaths occurred indoors. Of those incidents, 82% had an air conditioner present, although it wasn’t functioning about two-thirds of the time, according to the release.

Find the locations of heat relief stations, basic heat tips, signs of heat illness and additional resources at HeatAZ.org or CalorAZ.org for Spanish.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report.

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