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A healthier future for Montanans.
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Dr. Christina Barksy and her team of researchers at the University of Montana uncovered a pattern of 911 calls in Missoula county that shows we can expect hundreds more 911 calls when the temperature jumps a few degrees above average in the summer. The most frequent callers? Folks over 65, especially those in rural areas of the county.  Extreme heat (over 90°) puts pressure on every system in your body, which works best within a narrow temperature range. Older folks' bodies have to work harder to stay within that range, so long, hot days can take a dangerous toll. Add to that living outside of the city far from air-conditioned public places, and you have a recipe for trouble. Seniors and those who care for them can protect themselves by installing air conditioners, checking to see if any of their medicines affect how sensitive they are to heat, and staying hydrated with electrolytes. You can learn more about how heat affects your body and what to do about it by exploring our Heat Toolkit.
Other folks who were more likely to call 911 included renters, folks who made less money, and unemployed people, possibly due to things like not being able to afford air conditioning or living far from cooler green spaces. "Where someone lives explains more than half of the variation in distribution of 911 calls during heat events," the study comments. The old adage "tell me your address and I'll tell you how long you'll live," comes to mind, and reminds us that affordable housing and environmental stewardship are closely related. You can read the study for yourself here, or listen to this MTPR story on it. Comments are closed.
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