Heat waves are a leading cause of extreme weather-related deaths in the United States. The number of heat-related deaths is rising. Across the planet in general, temperatures are rising, but changes are not occurring everywhere. In some places temperatures may stay the same or drop. As a result of the changing climate, serious weather events, like heat waves, happen more often. These changes have the potential to affect human health in several direct and indirect ways, some of them severe. Linking climate change to a specific health problem is difficult. However, the information CDC has used is a good starting point to track how climate change can affect your health.

An extreme heat event, or heat wave, is an extended period of time (several days or more) with unusually hot weather conditions that can potentially harm human health. When temperatures increase, communities across the United States are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, such as cramps and heat exhaustion, which may lead to heat stroke and death.