Heat Deaths Among Undocumented US-Mexico Border Crossers In Pima County Arizona

Abstract

Widespread media reports have described an increase in heat-related deaths among undocumented immigrant border crossers in Southern Arizona in recent years. The factual basis and important risk factors associated with these deaths have not been well studied. Although, the most common cause of heat fatalities is environmental exposure during heat waves, deserts of the southwestern USA are known for temperatures that exceed this threshold for 30 days or more. Heat-related fatalities, however, have been and continue to be rare among residents of the region. Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border into Arizona has likely been robust for decades, although accurate measures of the volume are not available due to its covert nature. This thesis research focuses on the occurrence and distribution of heat deaths among undocumented US-Mexico border crossers in Pima County, Arizona. Implications of this work include improving future research, informing public health policy and planning of prevention strategies.