In times of extreme heat, body bags actually could be a life extender.
Although America’s Sun Belt continues to be a hotbed for retirement and senior living, in cities such as Phoenix, the temperature continues to grow along with the population. (On Tuesday, Phoenix recorded its 19th day in a row of 110 or more degrees, breaking its previous record.)
Prescription air conditioning is one of several novel potential solutions put forth in a new report about how providers in states such as Texas and Arizona can protect those most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
Climate change and extreme weather are becoming an increasingly difficult problem for providers to navigate. Maricopa County, Arizona — where most of metro Phoenix is located — reported a 25% increase in heat-associated deaths in 2022, about two-thirds of whom were aged more than 50 years.
Cities such as Portland, OR, already are adopting programs to distribute A/C units to low-income or vulnerable residents.
The potential for obtaining A/C, heat pumps or air purifiers is part of a concept called “precision ecologic medicine,” outlined in a study earlier this year. The idea is to use technology and incorporate climate data into the electronic medical record so that at-risk individuals can get personalized care.
In addition to A/C, the recent introduction of ice-filled body bags as a way to combat heat stroke – in still-living patients – offers an unfortunately-named solution that nevertheless has been proven in case studies to cool victims twice as fast as traditional methods.
The technique involves filling the bag with ice — and a person — up to about shoulder level, which provides room for IVs and other lifesaving equipment.
Providers also may need to use new data tools to account for weather-related risks to patients. A new pilot program was started earlier this year, The Climate Resilience for Frontline Clinics Toolkit, which has resources on extreme weather events and can offer providers special early weather alerts and other tools for emergency preparedness.
Older adults are more prone to heat stress than younger people due to chronic medical conditions, but they also may be vulnerable to extreme heat events in unexpected ways. Those with dementia, for instance, may be more prone to wander off outside into a heat wave, McKnight’s recently reported.
