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2021 Heat Deaths On Track To Break Record In Maricopa County

It was the hottest June on record in Phoenix, and it appears that extreme weather is taking a serious toll on public health. 

Maricopa County recorded a record-high number of heath-related deaths in 2020. But with summer far from over, 2021 is already on track to be even deadlier.

By the end of June in 2020, the county had confirmed four heat-related deaths. This year, twice as many were confirmed in the same timeframe. And county records show at least 75 other deaths are already under investigation.

The county reports the majority of heat deaths this year have occurred indoors among individuals over 50.

Maricopa County Working To Prevent Heat-Related Deaths

Katherine Davis-Young is a senior field correspondent reporting on a variety of issues, including public health and climate change.