As summer temperatures rise, a new tool aims to help Californians assess the health risks associated with extreme heat.
The California Communities Extreme Heat Scoring System, known as CalHeatScore, provides a risk ranking for heat-related health issues, categorizing them from mild to severe.
This innovative tool not only indicates the level of risk a person might face due to high temperatures but also directs them to local cooling resources that can provide relief from the heat.
The impetus for CalHeatScore’s development came in 2021 when the California Department of Insurance advocated for a heat warning system similar to those established for hurricanes and tornadoes.
A subsequent report revealed alarming statistics: from 2013 to 2022, extreme heat events led to 5,000 hospitalizations and nearly 460 deaths across the state.
Recognizing the need for action, a state law enacted in 2022 mandated the creation of this critical system.
Walker Wieland, who oversees the project at the state’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, emphasizes that extreme heat is a “silent killer.”
Unlike natural disasters such as wildfires or hurricanes, extreme heat lacks dramatic imagery, which can lead to underestimating its dangers.
David Eisenman, a professor of medicine at UCLA and co-director of the Center for Healthy Climate Solutions, notes that because many people do not recognize the risks associated with extreme heat, targeted outreach efforts are crucial, especially for vulnerable populations.
The methodology behind CalHeatScore was developed by Eisenman’s team, combining data on emergency room visits related to four heat-related illnesses: heat stroke, heat exhaustion, kidney failure, and dehydration, along with temperature readings.
This approach allows CalHeatScore to provide public health warnings far beyond a typical weather app.
Additionally, the scoring system is refined by ZIP code, a vital detail in regions like Southern California where weather conditions can vary dramatically in short distances.
As Eisenman points out, different parts of Los Angeles can experience vastly different weather patterns even within a range of just 15 miles.
The system categorizes heat risk levels from zero, a baseline that denotes no risk, to four, indicating severe risk.
Users can check their heat risk ranking daily for their specific ZIP codes alongside a one-week forecast. CalHeatScore also lists nearby cooling centers that provide sanctuary during heat waves.
The creators of this tool hope it will enhance public health responses to heat-related risks.
As Eisenman puts it, it is crucial to translate warning signals into actionable steps for individuals, as well as to enable public officials to take necessary actions in their communities.
For stakeholders such as hospital administrators, school officials, and operators of outdoor workplaces, CalHeatScore offers demographic insights into local areas, including details on outdoor worker populations and insurance coverage.
V. Kelly Turner, associate director at UCLA’s Luskin Center and part of the tool’s development team, explains that numerous factors mediate the relationship between heat exposure and the likelihood of health issues.
Though currently in its pilot phase, CalHeatScore seeks to become a standard resource for evaluating heat-related risks.
California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health is currently using data from the National Weather Service for public and employer advisories, relying on temperature thresholds.
The creators believe CalHeatScore could inform various public official responses and improve resource allocation based on real-time heat data.
Wieland stated that CalHeatScore could serve as an effective planning tool to help local governments decide when to mobilize resources or trigger specific emergency responses.
Already, outreach has begun with local governments, such as Los Angeles and San Mateo counties, to introduce this tool.
Additionally, Wieland’s team is working on a mobile app that will send notifications to users as well as hosting webinars and workshops to explain the features of CalHeatScore.
Although CalHeatScore is set to be utilized this summer, it is still in developmental stages, with significant long-term objectives ahead.
Turner emphasizes that this project is just the beginning towards a future where heat warnings are not solely based on temperature thresholds but are instead personalized to individual factors impacting health and safety.
Those seeking to stay informed about heat risks can look forward to utilizing CalHeatScore as a vital resource throughout the hotter months.
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