Bill Overview
Title: Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2021
Description: This bill provides statutory authority for, and otherwise revises, the National Integrated Heat Health Information System to improve the capacity of the United States to prepare for, adapt to, and mitigate health risks of extreme heat. The bill tasks the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with administering the system. (Currently, the system is jointly administered by NOAA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) The bill also authorizes financial assistance for projects to increase awareness, education, and research about extreme heat events and prioritizes projects that serve historically disadvantaged communities and communities with the greatest risk or highest incidence of heat-related illnesses and deaths. Additionally, NOAA must contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study relevant policy, research, and data gaps concerning extreme heat information and response. The bill also establishes an interagency committee within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategic plan and otherwise coordinate federal activities related to addressing health risks and impacts of heat.
Sponsors: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals globally vulnerable to heat-related health issues
Estimated Size: 100000000
- Extreme heat is a global issue exacerbated by climate change, as it affects various regions worldwide.
- Populations living in tropical and sub-tropical regions are at greater risk of extreme heat impacts.
- Urban areas with significant infrastructure tend to experience higher temperatures due to the heat island effect.
- Globally, economically disadvantaged communities often lack resources to adequately cope with extreme heat.
- With global warming, heat-related health risks are projected to continue increasing, impacting billions worldwide.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets historically disadvantaged communities and areas with high incidences of heat-related illnesses. This suggests a focus on urban areas and locales with poor infrastructure against heat.
- Extreme heat impacts individuals in outdoor or labor-intensive jobs disproportionately. Thus, individuals in these occupations might benefit significantly from the policy.
- Wellbeing improvements might not be immediate as the educational and infrastructural changes take time to implement. Thus, more significant changes might reflect over a 5 to 20-year horizon rather than in the first few years.
- Budget constraints mean the policy might need to prioritize locations or populations most at-risk in its initial phases.
Simulated Interviews
Retired (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's so hard to stay comfortable during summer; I really can't afford proper air conditioning.
- Any help with better heat preparedness would be great, especially in our neighborhood.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Construction Worker (Miami, Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's sometimes unbearable working outside. Any awareness or system would be welcomed.
- If they can make work safer or help us be more prepared, it could really lower the risk.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Data Analyst (New York City, New York)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My apartment gets really hot, making it difficult to concentrate sometimes.
- Awareness programs could help, but I think the buildings need upgrades to handle heat better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Teacher (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Teaching in such conditions is hard. Kids get cranky, and so do we.
- Any policy that addresses this could help us maintain regular school days.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Urban Planner (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our city's infrastructure is already adapting, so we're supportive of federal frameworks aligning with us.
- This policy might bolster our local efforts through funding or collaboration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Student (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The heat becomes unbearable, and I get migraines more often.
- Policies that help our institutions adapt will make studying easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Austin, Texas)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm too old to deal with the relentless heat on my own.
- Help from local or federal sources would be much appreciated and lifesaving.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Mail Carrier (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Delivering post in the heat is exhausting.
- Policy improvements helping us manage outdoor heat or public awareness would ease our workload.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Factory Worker (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's tiring inside, especially during heat waves, and we're overlooked for upgrades.
- Would like to see the policy addressing workplace heat regulations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Mississippi)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The heat is getting worse every year, and it's taking a toll on my energy.
- Policies that help us adjust, or predict heat would be a blessing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 2: $155000000 (Low: $105000000, High: $205000000)
Year 3: $160000000 (Low: $110000000, High: $210000000)
Year 5: $170000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $220000000)
Year 10: $180000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $230000000)
Year 100: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Key Considerations
- The effective implementation requires substantial interagency coordination and data sharing between NOAA, CDC, and other agencies.
- The focus on disadvantaged communities demands equitable resource allocation to ensure all communities benefit.
- Inflationary pressures on labor and materials could increase costs over time.
- The policy's success in improving public health could indirectly reduce long-term economic costs associated with climate change.