Heat: Impact on Vulnerable People with Neurological Conditions in India and the US

In the sweltering city of New Delhi, some hospitals have established specialized wards to treat patients with health issues related to the high temperatures. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a “red alert” for severe weather in the country’s capital, with a record high temperature of 47.8°C (118°F) observed in the southern part of the city. The extreme heat disproportionately affects the impoverished and blue-collar workers in New Delhi. Heatwaves in India are becoming increasingly severe, with scientists attributing the intensification, frequency, and duration to the climate crisis. 

In Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, 645 heat-related deaths were reported last year. The extreme weather did not discriminate; victims were both old and young, men and women, homeless and affluent, and from diverse racial backgrounds including black, white, Latino, Asian, and Native American. To better prepare for this year’s heat, Phoenix authorities are opening special shelters and extended hour cooling centers at night and on weekends. Additionally, call center workers assist individuals in finding aid centers, paying electricity bills, and repairing home refrigeration equipment. 

Extreme heat can be particularly harmful to individuals with cardiovascular diseases, migraines, strokes, and neurological disorders, leading to disruptions in brain function. Patients with epilepsy, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease are especially vulnerable.