Searchable mapping tool shows local, county heat-related injury EMS activation data

Twenty-twenty-three has been a record year for temperatures globally—and they’re expected to continue to rise into the foreseeable future. From cooling infrastructure to policy changes that accomidate workers, cities and counties across the United States are adapting to this new norm. A new tool from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Climate Change and Health Equity and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can be of help.

The joint-initiative’s Heat-Related EMS Activation Surveillance Dashboard (“EMS HeatTracker”) is intended to help public health officials across the nation with outreach efforts and medical aid, to educate vulnerable populations and help decision-makers prioritize community resilience investments.

“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 Xavier Becerra, secretary of health and human services, in a joint statement. “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.”  

The tool, which displays a detailed and searchable map of the United States, highlights EMS-related 911 calls for heat injuries and illnesses by displaying up-to-date clinical care and patient data from the the National EMS Information System, which is maintained by NHTSA.

Jurisdictions and counties with the highest rates of heat-related EMS activations are highlighted. National data is also available. A statement about the tool notes it doesn’t include information about patient fatalities that occurred prior to EMS arrival, or fatalities with no EMS response. 

Administrators can view county- and jurisdiction-level comparisons to national averages in rolling 30- and 14-day periods for a number of datapoints: population rate of heat-related EMS activations within a community; average EMS time in transit to reach a patient; and the percent of patients who are transported to a medical facility for further treatment.

“Extreme heat linked to climate change threatens our health and wellbeing, but it does not impact everyone equally. These threats are faced most acutely by communities of color, our youngest and oldest community members, and low-income households across the country. These data will help us prioritize heat mitigation strategies, outreach initiatives, and funding for energy assistance to alleviate heat stress and prevent illness in communities at greatest risk,” said Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for the health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The dashboard notably breaks down patient characteristics by age, race, gender, and location—such as urban, suburban, rural, and frontier. The dashboard, which was launched last month, represents the first iteration of a tool that will continue to evolve. Practically, the EMS HeatTracker is expected to be used to help regional and local government officials prioritize heat mitigation strategies like street trees, parks, and cool roofs. It will also be used to help mayors and public health officials prioritize interventions like cooling centers and outreach to at-risk populations during periods of extreme heat, the statement says.

“The effects of climate change and extreme heat on our daily lives are undeniable,” said Ann Carlson, acting administrator of NHTSA. “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.”