Millions of Americans could be facing a long, hot and possibly dangerous summer, according to public health experts and data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA’s new data suggests that most of New Mexico and Utah have a 60 to 70% chance of hotter than normal weather along with parts of Arizona, Texas and Colorado.
The record breaking temperatures will also be seen in other parts of the United States this summer possibly due to climate change and other factors.
The George Washington University has experts available to comment on all aspects of extreme heat as well as the health risks associated with higher than normal temperatures. To interview an expert please contact Kathy Fackelmann, kfackelmann
gwu [dot] edu (kfackelmann[at]gwu[dot]edu) or Katelyn Deckelbaum, kdeckelbaumgwu [dot] edu (kdeckelbaum[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Susan Anenberg, is the director of the GW Climate & Health Institute, and professor and chair of the department of environmental and occupational health at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. Anenberg’s research focuses on the health implications of climate change. She can talk about how climate change is driving extreme heat and the health consequences.
Mary Barron is an associate professor of exercise and nutrition sciences at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. An expert on sport-related youth injuries, she is available to discuss ways athletes and coaches can adopt strategies that offer protections during such heat spells.
Adriana Glenn is an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at GW. She can discuss how extreme heat can impact people – directly and indirectly – and how it can aggravate conditions in those individuals who are very young, older, and with chronic illnesses.
Neelu Tummala, is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is also the co-director for the Climate Health Institute at GW with a special interest in the effects of climate change on population health.