Maricopa County Sees Decline in Heat-Related Deaths Despite Record Heat
In an unexpected turn during Phoenix’s hottest year on record, Maricopa County witnessed a decrease in heat-related fatalities in 2024 compared to the previous year. A report from Maricopa County Public Health highlights this decline, marking the first time in over ten years that the county has experienced a reduction in heat-related deaths year-on-year.
“It’s not time for a victory lap,” cautioned David Hondula, director of Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, in an interview with KJZZ News last fall. While the numbers show positive signs, Hondula emphasized the need for significant reductions to address the ongoing issue effectively.
Heat-related deaths have surged significantly in the past decade within Maricopa County. In 2014, there were 61 recorded deaths, a figure that escalated to 602 in 2024. This rise correlates with increasing temperatures and the rapid growth of the homeless population in the region. Alarmingly, 50% of the heat deaths last year involved homeless individuals, a higher percentage than in 2023.
The total of 602 heat-related deaths in 2024 ranks as the second-highest since the county began official records in 2006. Although the decline from 645 deaths in 2023 suggests that investments in heat relief are starting to yield results, the situation remains dire. “We’re again encouraged by the reversal of this trend but there’s still quite a bit of work to do as we believe all of these were preventable,” stated Dr. Nick Staab, Chief Medical Officer of the County Board of Health.
Significant changes were implemented last summer in Phoenix’s approach to heat relief, including extended hours at three public cooling centers and keeping two other centers open overnight. These sites recorded over 35,000 visits from May to October, with more than 900 individuals referred for treatment or shelter. The Phoenix Fire Department reported a 20% decrease in heat-related emergency calls in 2024 compared to 2023, despite the increased temperatures.
Efforts at the county level included boosting the number of operators handling heat-related inquiries via Arizona’s 211 helpline and allocating federal funds for transportation to cooling centers. The county also appointed its first full-time cooling center coordinator. However, the majority of the budget for these initiatives in 2024 was sourced from federal pandemic relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, set to expire in 2026.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego has stressed the need for a stable funding source to sustain these lifesaving programs. “We cannot continue to tackle this public health emergency without increased support from our municipal neighbors, from the county, the state, and federal government leaders,” Gallego asserted. She noted the exacerbating factor of a growing homeless population as temperatures rise, emphasizing, “We’re being asked to do more, but given fewer resources. This is an emergency.”
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