Heat-related deaths--four states, July-August 2001, and United States, 1979-1999.
Each year in the United States, approximately 400 deaths are attributed to excessive natural heat; these deaths are preventable. This report describes heat-related deaths in Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas when elevated temperatures were recorded for several consecutive days during July-August 2001; summarizes heat-related deaths in the United States during 1979-1999; and presents risk factors and preventive measures associated with heat-related illness and death, especially in susceptible populations.
D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005334:Fever / Q000401:mortality*; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000401:mortality*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D009516:New Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology