Extreme Heat and Human Health Impacts – Webinar May 27th

Though Wisconsin is notorious for frigid winters, extreme heat kills more people in the state than all other weather disasters (like tornadoes, floods, blizzards) combined. Just as the human body can freeze to death when temperatures are too cold, it can also stop functioning properly when it cannot dissipate excessive heat.

For example, at least 68 people died during an extreme heat event in 1995 in Wisconsin, when temperatures soared over 90 ºF for seven consecutive days. On the hottest days with high humidity, temperatures felt like they were over 120 ºF.

You can watch a recording of the program here.

  • Maggie Thelen: Climate and Health Program Coordinator at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, will talk about what’s causing an increase in the number of life-threatening hot days, how extreme heat events affect our health, who is especially vulnerable to extreme heat, and what people can do to protect themselves and others.
  • Liz Szot: RN, Health Officer and Public Health Administrator at Ashland County’s Human Health and Services department, will describe what’s happening in our region and what the department does to protect its residents.

Interesting Information

  • Wisconsin Department of Health Services factsheet about climate changes and human health impacts

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p00709b.pdf

  • Wisconsin Department of Health Services web page for heat impacts and actions, including a short video on how to protect yourself and others.

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/climate/heat.htm

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/climate/wihvi.htm

The program will be recorded and posted on the Ashland County UW Extension web site following the presentation.

The program is offered in partnership with UW Madison’s Division of Wisconsin-Ashland County, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and the Ashland County Human Health and Services department.

For more information, call 715-682-7017.