New data shows that the number of heat-related deaths in 2024 is expected to be lower than in 2023

According to new figures from the Maricopa County Health Department, 66 people have died from heat this year and 447 deaths are currently under investigation.

While the number fell below 2023 levels in the same week, trend lines show that heat deaths may still be higher this year than last year.

Just over half of the 66 heat deaths were classified as heat-related, meaning heat was the primary cause of the recorded death. In 30 deaths, heat was classified as a contributing factor.

According to the data, the number of heat deaths has skyrocketed over the past decade. In the same week in 2014, there were nine confirmed heat deaths. Today’s 66 is seven times as high. Between 2014 and 2020, the number of confirmed heat deaths rarely rose above 20 until week 31. The average for those six years is 14 heat deaths. For the years 2020 to 2024, the average is 54.

The county’s public health dashboard reports 447 deaths under investigation as either heat-related or heat-caused. This is a lower number than last year, when 511 deaths were under investigation at this time. When confirmed deaths are included, the number of deaths this year is likely to be lower.

The data differ slightly when the final heat death figures from 2023 are taken into account. In week 31 of last year, 490 people died from heat-related causes.

Some population groups are more affected by heat deaths than others.

About one in three heat deaths occur in people between the ages of 35 and 49. Almost one in four is male. Just over half are white, non-Hispanic. 60% of heat deaths are related to drug use. Half of heat deaths occur among homeless people.

If you or someone you know needs heat protection due to our temperatures, you can find a map of heat protection stations in the Valley on the Maricopa Association of Governments website.