Who is Most at Risk to Extreme Heat?
Extreme heat can be uncomfortable for everyone, but when paired with humidity, sun, or poor air quality, it becomes a serious health risk. Understanding who is at highest risk helps us take action, whether by reducing exposure, improving access to cooling, or simply raising awareness.
At-risk groups include, but are not limited to: children, older adults, people with pre-existing conditions, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, low-income communities, indoor and outdoor workers, emergency responders, incarcerated individuals, pregnant women, people who lack housing and/or quality housing, people who breathe polluted air, people with substance-use disorders, and athletes.
Extreme heat can affect everyone – but not everyone experiences it the same.
The places where an individual lives, works, plays, and learns can influence how much heat they are exposed to. There are three key factors that put some people at higher risk from heat than others:
- Exposure: Some people are more exposed to high temperatures than others, such as those who spend long hours working or exercising outside, those experiencing homeless, or those who live in buildings without air conditioning.
- Sensitivity: Some people are less tolerant of heat than others, such as infants, young children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with certain health conditions made worse by heat exposure. Certain medications can also affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature. People can be more sensitive to heat if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs that affect their ability to stay hydrated.
- Ability to respond and prepare: Some people are less able to avoid heat than others, such as those with limited incomes who cannot afford air conditioning or the electricity to use it, people with mobility issues that prevent them from seeking health care or going to a cooling center during a heat wave, or those with outdoor jobs. Some people are less motivated to leave their homes for cooler places due to inability to bring pets, fear of crime, or concerns about being a burden to others.
Additionally, rural communities also face health risks from heat and have been found to have higher rates of heat-related health care utilization than urban areas. In rural communities, more people may work outdoors, and cooling access may be more limited compared to urban areas.
Explore at Risk Group Tools and Resources
Explore resources related to extreme heat and health, tailored to the needs of specific at-risk groups. Whether you’re looking for guidance for children, athletes, older adults, emergency responders, or others, you can search and filter tools to find information that supports prevention, safety, and preparedness.
Narrow Down Your Results
Use the filters below to find resources relevant to your needs.
1–12 of 107 results found.
