Heat-related illness: Hot weather can be deadly
Although Minnesotans live in a cold weather state, the summer heat can significantly impact our health. Heat events - prolonged periods of hot weather - cause more deaths than any other natural disaster. Hot weather can increase your core body temperature, making it difficult for your body to function normally. This can be demanding on your body and lead to heat-related illnesses and even death. Heat-related illness includes: dehydration, heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, that occur when the body becomes too hot and cannot cool down adequately. Heat also can worsen existing chronic conditions such as: diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory conditions.
Learn more about heat, and what is being done about it in Minnesota
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The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Climate and Health Program has created a suite of tools to aid local governments and public health professionals prepare for, and respond to, extreme heat events. Extreme Heat Events-MDH
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In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed resources for emergency preparedness and response for Extreme Heat-CDC.