The health effects of extreme heat

A construction worker rests on grass with a safety vest over his face.

How our research is contributing to the public health response

In the United States, heat-related mortality is the number one weather-related killer—and these deaths are nearly all preventable. As global warming continues, scientists predict extreme and dangerous heat waves will be much more common.

The UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS) is at the leading edge of research into how extreme heat affects people’s health. We particularly focus on those who are most vulnerable to the health risks, including farmworkers, outdoor laborers and the elderly.

Our research is also identifying new ways to help communities adapt to heat through risk communication, evidence-based policies, land-use strategies and other approaches.

Learn more about this research led by our Center for Health and the Global Environment, Collaborative on Extreme Event Resilience and the Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center, all part of DEOHS.

Our impact

Martindale stands on a misty beach in front of large driftwood tree trunks, with sea stacks in the background. She is wearing glasses, a blue baseball cap, an orange scarf and a grey jacket.

From supercomputers to science communication

DEOHS Outstanding Master’s Student and Omenn Award winner Cecilia Martindale is committed to protecting our health from climate change impacts

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Houses in the foreground with smoke on a hillside rising into the air, with the LA skyline and mountains in the background.

How cuts to climate research could impact community health

Understanding climate change’s impact on health is critical to keeping communities safe, says DEOHS faculty member Joan Casey

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Cecilia Martindale stands smiling on a pier over a bay at low tide, wearing a purple UW hat.

Could heat make us more vulnerable to toxic chemicals?

MS student Cecilia Martindale wins Castner Award to study how heat influences exposure to the world’s most widely used weed killer

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Closeup of Dr. Jeremy Hess in profile holding a microphone with one hand and holding out his other hand.

Protecting health in a changing climate

DEOHS researchers partner with communities to save lives from extreme heat and climate-related disasters

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A temperature contour map of western Washington with dark red in the areas near Puget Sound, orange over the Kitsap Peninsula and lighter orange and yellow over the higher elevation with blue over the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges.

Climate change intervention: UW faculty lead charge with innovation, research

NIH grant provides $3.8 million to establish REACH Center, using computer model developed by DEOHS faculty

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Cordy stands in front of greenery and smiles at the camera. Cordy wears a black shirt, silver necklace and silver earrings.

Clarifying climate health risks and solutions

UW School of Public Health undergrad interns with Center for Health and the Global Environment 

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In the news

America’s coming smoke epidemic
June 27, 2025 | The Atlantic | Featured: Joan Casey View

How high humidity can affect your health—and when it gets dangerous
June 26, 2025 | Verywell Health | Featured: Tania M Busch Isaksen View

What to do in a power outage
June 24, 2025 | Time | Featured: Joan Casey View

7 Tips for managing extreme heat
June 24, 2025 | The New York Times | Featured: Kristie L. Ebi View

'Oppressive' heat triggers health warnings across US East, Midwest
June 23, 2025 | Reuters | Featured: Howard Frumkin View