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Ensure that Vermonters have a healthy and safe environment

Heat stress related emergency department visits per 100,000 Vermonters

Current Value

10.1

2020

Definition

Line Bar

Story Behind the Curve

Updated: January 2023

Author: Division of Environmental Health, Vermont Department of Health


A 2016 report by the Climate & Health program indicated that Vermonters are at greater risk for serious heat-related illnesses, and even death, when the statewide average temperature reaches 87°F or hotter. On days when the statewide average temperature reached at least 87°F, heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, occurred eight times more frequently, and there was one additional death per day among individuals age 65 and older.

When the statewide average temperature reaches or exceeds 87°F, that usually corresponds to a temperature of about 90°F or warmer at the Burlington International Airport Weather Station. As shown in the table below, the number of days reaching at least 90°F at the Burlington Station varies widely from year to year, ranging from 0 to 13 between 2003 and 2016. In general, in years with more hot days, more heat illnesses were observed. But the health impact of hot weather also depends on a number of factors, including whether the heat occurred on a weekend or other day with significant outdoor activity, whether the heat occurred as a part of a multi-day heat wave when nighttime temperatures did not cool substantially, or whether the heat occurred early in the year before people had time to adapt to warmer weather.

From 2003-2012, there were an average of six days per year when the observed temperature reached 90°F or hotter at the Burlington Station. Climate models predict that such hot days may occur 3-5 times more frequently by the end of the century, depending on the amount of additional fossil fuel emissions released into the atmosphere. Our target is to keep future heat illnesses from increasing above the 2010 incidence rate, which would mean that our ability to adapt and respond keeps pace with the increased risk presented by experiencing more frequent hot days per year.

Days per year >= 90°F

  • 2003: 6
  • 2004: 0
  • 2005: 5
  • 2006: 6
  • 2007: 10
  • 2008: 3
  • 2009: 2
  • 2010: 11
  • 2011: 7
  • 2012: 13
  • 2013: 9
  • 2014: 3
  • 2015: 9
  • 2016: 12
  • 2017: 8
  • 2018: 17
  • 2019: 8
  • 2020: 20

Why Is This Important?

Heat illnesses can be deadly. On very hot days, sometimes people's body temperature control systems can't keep up. When that happens, their body temperature gets dangerously high. As a result, they are at greater risk of serious heat illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which is a life-threatening emergency.

Partners

  • Health Department’s Division of Emergency Preparedness
  • Offices of Local Health
  • Vermont Agency of Human Services
  • Vermont Department of Emergency Management
  • National Weather Service
  • Vermont 211
  • Vermont and New Hampshire Red Cross
  • Many other local and regional partners

What Works

On hot days, you can reduce your risk for heat illnesses by reducing your outdoor activity level, staying hydrated, and seeking relief in the shade or cooled indoor spaces. Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle. And make sure to check-in on family, friends, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with chronic health conditions.

For more tips on ways to protect yourself and others from heat illnesses, please visit our Hot Weather and Health Impacts web page.  You can also find our cooling site locator map on this page.

Strategy

Before and during hot weather events, the Climate & Health Program works with its partners to communicate about potential health impacts to the public, provide guidance on ways to stay safe and healthy during hot weather, and help coordinate emergency response activities. Long-term, the Climate & Health Program is working with partners to keep buildings cooler during hot weather, reduce excessive heat impacts in urbanized areas, and to proactively identify and provide aid to people at highest risk for heat illnesses.

Notes on Methodology

For more details on data sources and methods, please visit our data notes page.  Additional state and county data on heat stress are available from 2003-2020 on the Data Explorer.

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Scorecard Container Measure Action Actual Value Target Value Tag S A m/d/yy m/d/yyyy