skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Senate adopts $340 billion budget blueprint for Trump's agenda after marathon vote; MI keeps EV charging plans on track despite federal cuts; Shore power bill would improve WA air quality, cut emissions; Report: Methane mitigation industry grows in LA, nationwide.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump wants to eliminate local governance in Washington, D.C., election denier Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director, and federal cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program hurt ailing first responders.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Taos County Sheriff says he won't conduct raids or round ups of immigrants, New Hampshire worries a dearth of charging stations will force tourists driving EVs to pick another vacation destination, and Southern states improve education with workarounds.

Study: COVID-19 Could Increase Heat Deaths Among AZ Seniors

play audio
Play

Monday, June 29, 2020   

PHOENIX -- New research finds while Arizona's blazing summer heat already is dangerous for seniors, COVID-19 could increase those hazards as older folks are encouraged to be especially careful to avoid potential infection.

Public health officials, who note that three-quarters of Arizonans who have died from coronavirus were age 65 and older, have warned seniors to stay at home and limit contact with others. But AARP Arizona assistant director Steve Jennings said it's important for family members or other social networks to regularly check on seniors to make sure sheltering at home doesn't ultimately lead to tragedy.

"This COVID situation has thrown this whole thing into a whole other level of danger for older people, especially when the authorities are urging you to stay home," Jennings said. "And, you know, who is it that knows that you're OK in there?"

A new report by Climate Central, a collaboration between scientists and journalists, found seniors who live alone are the most likely to die from excessive heat, and 40% of Arizona's almost 200 heat-related deaths in 2019 occurred indoors.

Jennings said it is critical for families, neighborhood associations and community groups to locate and regularly check on older neighbors, adding that research has found Arizona seniors who live in mobile or manufactured homes are especially vulnerable to excessive heat.

"If there are individuals living alone, they need to be checked on repeatedly," he said. "[If] there is an old guy living in a house here and nobody sees them very much, the lawn isn't cut and the mail isn't always collected, that's a high level of risk going on with that person."

University of Washington climate researcher Kristie Ebi co-authored the report. She said the study found many seniors have neither the physical nor financial wherewithal to cope with extreme temperatures.

"The growing heat is compounded by the fact that populations are getting older. We've got more people with various chronic diseases," Ebi said. "So, we're looking at a period where these two trends are going to come together in ways that, unless actions are taken, the number of deaths will go up."

Regularly updated data on the COVID-19 pandemic from the Arizona Department of Health Services is available at AZDHS.gov

Disclosure: AARP Arizona contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
According to a 2024 report, 74% of Montana families who received one form of income-based public assistance between 2016 and 2022 were single, aging or disabled adults with kids. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Today is National Caregivers Day, recognizing those who help friends or family members who are living with an illness, injury or disability. A 2024 …


Health and Wellness

play sound

The Alabama Senate has passed a bill which would give gun owners struggling with mental health challenges the option to voluntarily surrender their fi…

Health and Wellness

play sound

As the temperatures drop, some Georgians are feeling more than just the winter chill. Nearly 40% of Americans experience the seasonal mood changes …


Researchers are developing inductive charging technology that could allow EVs to charge without plugging in, using embedded road or parking pad systems. (Kalyakan/Adobe Stock)

play sound

Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration stopped new funding for electric vehicle charging stations under the National Electric Vehicle …

Social Issues

play sound

Antihunger advocates and relief organizations are gathering at New Mexico's State Capitol today as part of "Hunger Action Day." Advocates will urge l…

Nationwide, about 146 million American citizens do not have passports. About 153 million Americans cast a ballot in the 2024 presidential election, according to the Center for American Progress. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Legislation now in Congress could further complicate how Arizonans cast their ballots. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act would require a …

Environment

play sound

One researcher at the University of Nevada-Reno has developed what she called revolutionary sorghum varieties for dairy cow feed and gluten-free human…

Environment

play sound

If Minnesota wants a strong network of up-and-coming farmers, including those who want to farm on healthier land, the state can help them become …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021