Geographic Analysis of Heat-Related Deaths in Maricopa County, Arizona

Abstract

Heat-related deaths are on the rise in Maricopa County, Arizona. Land use, climate change, and human development are contributing to increases in extreme heat, adversely impacting local populations. Though many factors affect heat-related deaths each year and not all of these are measurable, this study looks at the impacts of urban development and local temperature trends as two key players. The relationship between these factors and historic heat-related death data is explored, revealing areas where improvements can be made to better protect citizens from patterns of harsh summer heat. This study uses geographic analysis tools including supervised classification, inverse distance weighted (IDW) methods, choropleth mapping, and visual analysis to identify correlations in weather and environmental data with heat-related deaths. Results show that strategically identified areas can implement heat-reducing measures such as living walls, green roofs, and cooling centers to improve the quality of life for residents.