Biden Administration Tracks Heat-Related Illnesses with New Dashboard

On August 9, 2023, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the launch of the Heat-Related Illness EMS Activation Surveillance Dashboard, also known as EMS HeatTracker, to track heat-related illnesses across the US.

Under the Biden Administration, the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) will partner with the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) to gather data on emergency medical service (EMS) responses to health-related conditions. This tracker is the only online portal focused exclusively on heat-related illnesses.

As national and global temperatures reach a record high, heat-related illnesses and deaths are an increasingly prominent healthcare issue. With a worsening climate crisis, heat-related diseases and other conditions exacerbated by climate change require additional attention from healthcare professionals, public health officials, and climate change experts.

“Heat is no longer a silent killer. From coast-to-coast, communities are battling to keep people cool, safe, and alive due to the growing impacts of the climate crisis,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in the press release. “President Biden is committed to providing communities with the resources they need to stay safe. The EMS HeatTracker is a powerful tool from the Biden–Harris Administration that brings actionable information to prioritize outreach and interventions, helping prevent heat-related illnesses and death and build resilience across the nation.” 

According to the release, the system will collect information on age, race, gender, and urbanicity. Powered by data that can be used to extrapolate risk, government officials across all levels can plan for mitigation strategies.

“The effects of climate change and extreme heat on our daily lives are undeniable,” said Acting Administrator of NHTSA, Ann Carlson, in the HHS release. “This dashboard is a first step to gather critical data on heat-related illness and save lives. So, I’m thrilled that in collaboration with state EMS officials and clinicians, NHTSA can share millions of records and partner with HHS to identify the populations most at risk for heat-related illness.” 

The healthcare implications of climate change become more apparent as time passes. From heat-related illnesses and injuries to wildfire-related respiratory diseases, evidence has proven climate change is a healthcare issue. While collecting actionable data can be vital in protecting at-risk populations, no management tools can measure against prevention. Local, national, and global changes to mitigate environmental impacts are essential for preventing further changes.