In an effort to combat the high number of heat-related deaths that occur during the summer months, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) has launched a new interactive, online dashboard. The dashboard, which is focused on heat-related illness and death in the county, is designed to provide residents with more accessible and up-to-date data on heat-related hospital visits and deaths. It is a key component of the county’s efforts to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths.
According to Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, Medical Director at MCDPH, the dashboard is an important tool in tracking the effects of heat on residents and visitors in Maricopa County. The data collected has been used to identify and target prevention strategies for those at highest risk of heat-related illness and death.
The dashboard features real-time data on heat-related hospital visits, comparative data for heat-related deaths and hospital visits, patient characteristics such as age, race, sex, housing status, and substance use involvement in heat-related hospital visits and deaths. It also displays daily maximum and minimum temperatures.
The dashboard was developed using the Power BI platform with support from the county’s enterprise technology team. It will be updated weekly on Tuesdays and is optimized for desktop viewing. MCDPH has also provided a guidance document to help users navigate the dashboard effectively.
Overall, the dashboard aims to provide a comprehensive look at how heat is impacting residents and visitors in Maricopa County. If you have a story idea or tip, you can share it with the KTAR News team.
