Extreme heat kills more people annually in the United States than flooding, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined. Not only is constant exposure to heat harmful to human health, causing dehydration, heat stroke, long-term cognitive decline, and chronic kidney disease among other hazards, it is bad for business. Extreme heat leads to increased workplace injuries, absenteeism, and health care costs, while decreasing productivity and retention. Amplifying stories about extreme heat’s impact on the workplace helps frame this issue as a business risk which employers and policymakers must take action on.
