Extreme Heat Exacerbates Chronic Health Issues for Millions of Americans

As the U.S. faces record-breaking heat this Labor Day, millions of Americans are at heightened risk of severe health problems, particularly those with pre-existing chronic conditions. The relentless heat wave is affecting states across the South and Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and the Carolinas, where the National Weather Service has issued heat warnings.

Extreme temperatures pose a serious threat to everyone, but those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease are especially vulnerable. These conditions impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature effectively, making individuals more susceptible to heat-related health complications.

In states like Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina, which have some of the highest rates of chronic illnesses in the U.S., the combination of sustained high heat and humidity creates a particularly dangerous situation. Dr. John Sherner, chair of medicine at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, notes that individuals with chronic health conditions are at increased risk as their bodies struggle to cope with prolonged heat and humidity.

While rising temperatures and underlying health issues are concerns nationwide, the impact is most pronounced in the South and Southeast, where the convergence of extreme heat and chronic disease creates a critical health challenge.