Deaths In Las Vegas Heat Spiked In 2023: SNHD
Watching television and seeing a seven day forecast with nothing but triple digits is no fun. Nor is breaking new records. However it’s less than unfun. It’s deadly. Deaths in Las Vegas heat went up considerably from 2022 to 2023 according to data from the Southern Nevada Health District.
Heat-related deaths in 2023 shot up to 294 total, with slightly more than half being directly caused by the heat. That’s up from 165 in 2022. Data from the last five years shows an upward trend in the mortality rate.
The data shows deaths in Las Vegas heat are more often than not a male problem. 73 percent of those who died due to heat-related incidents were men, compared to 27 percent of women. Nearly half of all of those who died were between the ages of 45-64.
Deaths In Las Vegas Heat Rise Due, In Part, To Drug Use
While it is easy to say (and good advise) that you should seek shade and stay hydrated, a large minority of those who perished in 2023 died while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
39 percent of those who suffered heat-related deaths had positive tests for drugs or alcohol, with three quarters of those who died testing positive for methamphetamines.
July Is The Worst Month For Deaths In Las Vegas Heat
Data from the Southern Nevada Health District tracks, to morbid and depressing detail, every statistic of those who died due to the Southern Nevada heat. July shows a drastic shoot-up in deaths, tapering off in June and August like a bell curve.
Unfortunately it appears as though a large determining factor in the death rate is related to income. Heat-related deaths in 2023 were almost all centrally located and towards the east and northeast Las Vegas valley, areas known for lower incomes and older homes with potentially decaying cooling infrastructure.
Remember the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson, along with Clark County, offer up cooling stations to keep you safe in these brutal summer temperatures.
So be safe this summer, get plenty of water, plenty of shade, and perhaps hold off on the elicit drugs (at least until the thermostat reads double digits).
