Heat-Related Deaths during the July 1995 Heat Wave in Chicago

Hot summer weather cannot be prevented; however, morbidity and mortality related to summer heat can be reduced. 1 Previous research shows that the excess mortality associated with sustained hot weather affects predominantly high-risk populations living in urban areas where there has not been a heat wave for several years. 2 – 7 Simple measures such as increasing fluid intake and gaining access to air conditioning can reduce heat-related mortality. 1 , 8 However, implementing preventive strategies targeted to groups at risk has proved to be difficult, and many preventable deaths continue to occur throughout the United States during the summer months. 9 From July 12 through . . .