Climate and Health

According to the CDC, heat poses significant and increasing risks to public health across the United States. An extreme heat event is several days or more with uncommonly hot temperatures that can be harmful to people. Climate change is making extreme heat events more common, especially in urban areas. New Orleans will have warmer temperatures during the year but some neighborhoods are at greater risk of extreme heat than others.

In 2023, the New Orleans Health Department found that there were 367 heat-related EMS calls​ and 28 heat-related fatalities​. Most fatalities occurred in among individuals aged 60 years or older​ with housing related concerns, including reduced, limited or no access to air conditioning. Fatalities in persons under 60 years old were more likely to be unhoused or have a positive toxicology report.

Illnesses and deaths caused by extreme heat events are preventable.

More information

New Orleans Health Department Extreme Heat https://nola.gov/health-department/climate/extreme-heat/

NOHD Planning Tools and Data https://nola.gov/health-department/climate-changes-health-/planning-tools-and-data/

CDC Heat & Health Tracker https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/Applications/heatTracker/