ASU professor explores heat dangers beyond dehydration and heat stroke

Published: Friday, July 28, 2023 - 2:42pm

New research from Arizona State University is showing that the dangers of extreme heat go well beyond dehydration and heat stroke.

Dr. Pope Moseley is a professor with ASU. His research shows that rates of physical and mental illness go up during extreme heat events.

"Suicide goes up 1%-2%, violent crime goes up, bloodstream bacterial infections, hospital acquired infections, heart attack, emphysema, dementia," Moseley said. 

Moseley says that drug overdose deaths also increase dramatically as temperatures climb.

He will present these findings to a conference in Stockholm, Sweden, this fall. 

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