Extreme Heat Is Harming Americans’ Health — And Communities Aren’t Ready

Extreme heat is no longer a distant threat. It’s a public health crisis unfolding nationwide, with Americans alarmed by its growing impact on health and the climate. ecoAmerica’s recent report found that 86% of Americans say extreme heat has increased their concern about climate change, and nearly 9 in 10 recognize its serious impact on people’s health.

But beyond rising concern lies lived experience and questions about local preparedness. A new report from ecoAmerica and the American Public Health Association dives into personal and household experiences with heat-related illness, what health effects are at the top of mind, who is most at risk, and whether local heat resources are keeping up with the growing challenge.

“Extreme heat is a public health issue that requires a unified and well-resourced response to reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths in all communities. This report highlights the public’s experience with extreme heat and reiterates the need for a more collaborative approach towards preparedness between federal, state, local, and community partners.”

— Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association

Most Americans Say Heat is Harming Their Health

Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) report that they or someone in their household has experienced health or medical problems caused or worsened by heat waves and extreme heat. Among them, nearly 1 in 5 (19%) say these issues have occurred multiple times, highlighting the recurring nature of heat-related health challenges. 29% say yes occasionally during especially hot weather. And 19% say yes, but only rarely. The impact cuts across political lines, with 74% of Democrats, 69% of Republicans, and 57% of Independents reporting heat-related health problems in their households. This widespread experience underscores that extreme heat is not just a future threat, but a current and personal health crisis affecting millions across the nation.¹

Americans Can (Generally) Spot Extreme Heat Health Risks

Americans recognize extreme heat as a driver of serious health problems, with 77% saying it can cause or worsen heatstroke or dehydration. Majorities also connect heat to breathing problems (71%), fatigue (65%), and mental health challenges² such as increased stress, anxiety, or trouble sleeping (63%). Half of Americans (50%) believe extreme heat can worsen heart problems, while nearly a third (31%) also recognize the risk of pregnancy complications. And 1 in 4 (25%) say it can affect conditions like diabetes. Just 5% say they’re unsure. So while these findings indicate broad public awareness that extreme heat is not just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous, they also show opportunities for education on heat’s connection to heart, pregnancy, and diabetes complications.

Outdoor Workers Seen Most at Risk, But There Are Many More

Americans identify many of the communities that bear the brunt of rising temperatures and extreme heat. The majority recognize that certain groups, including outdoor workers (70%), people with chronic health conditions (69%), and older adults (68%), face higher health risks from extreme heat. Awareness is slightly lower for other at-risk communities, including people without housing (61%), pregnant women (50%), children and youth (49%), and people with disabilities (49%). Few Americans see people with low incomes (39%) and people of color and underserved communities (29%) as most at risk, highlighting a continued need to raise awareness about how heat impacts some groups more than others. Only 3% say they don’t know.

Communities Are Missing the Mark on Local Heat Support

As temperatures climb, awareness of life-saving local resources remains low. Just over half (53%) believe cooling centers are available in their local area. Less than half (46%) are aware of emergency alerts or early warning systems, help with paying electricity bills or avoiding shut-offs during heat waves (40%), or the accessibility of health services for heat-related illness (40%). Few report awareness of outreach programs to check on vulnerable residents (36%) or help to prepare homes for extreme heat (28%). Only 1 in 5 (20%) say transportation to cooling centers is available. Meanwhile, 12% of Americans say they don’t know of resources available in their area. These findings point to the dual and urgent needs for improved communication and access to life-saving local services as heat waves become more frequent and intense.

The Time to Act Is Now

Extreme heat is already putting millions of Americans at risk. These findings make it clear: leaders at every level must act now. That means strengthening local response plans, expanding access to life-saving resources, and clearly communicating where and how to get help.

“As extreme heat worsens, vast numbers of people are sounding the alarm for better support and protection,” said Meighen Speiser, Executive Director of ecoAmerica. “ This report shows that Americans expect action from our leaders — to respond with bold policies, equitable solutions, and clear communication to ensure every community is safe, supported, and climate-ready.”

¹ See full toplines for data trends across all demographic categories.
² ecoAmerica, in partnership with APA, published a report that chronicles the impacts of climate change on Americans’ mental health and psychological well-being. Read more here.

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Full data featured in this blog is available in the accompanying toplines.

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Methodology
ecoAmerica designed and administered this survey, which was conducted online from June 10 – 13, 2025, using SurveyMonkey. The survey yielded a total of 1,181 complete adult responses and used the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to weigh the national general population and reflect the demographic composition of the US. The sample was drawn from an online panel, and the respondents were screened to ensure that they were over the age of 18. The margin of error for the sample is +/-3%. In interpreting the survey results, it is important to note that all sample surveys are subject to possible sampling errors. Thus, the results of a survey may differ from the results that would be obtained if the entire population were interviewed. The sampling error size depends on the total number of respondents in the survey and the percentage distribution of the responses to a particular question. For example, if 50% of the respondents in a sample of 1,181 respondents answered “Yes” to a particular question, we can be 95% confident that the true percentage would fall within 3 points or range from 47% to 53%.

Suggested Citation
Speiser, M., Ishaq, M. (August 2025). American Climate Perspectives Survey 2025. Vol IV. Extreme Heat Is Harming Americans’ Health — And Communities Aren’t Ready. ecoAmerica. Washington, DC.

© 2025 ecoAmerica. The contents of this report may be shared and used under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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