‘Shocking’ heat waves persist through August as federal officials warn of far-ranging health risks
WASHINGTON — An already record-setting summer heat wave will continue through August and will put more than 51 million Americans at risk of health impacts, according to new data from federal health officials.
Most of those vulnerable people live in 26 states expected to have at least five extreme heat days this month. Among the highest-risk counties, roughly 45% have high levels of uninsured adults and children and 18% have high senior populations, according to a relatively new monthly report drafted by the Health and Human Services Department’s two-year-old climate change office.
