Racial disparities in deaths related to extreme temperatures in the United States

Abstract

Climate change has intensified extreme temperature events, posing significant challenges to public health and equity. While the impact of extreme temperatures on mortality is known, racial disparities in this context are less explored. Most studies on the United States focus on specific regions or do not address the effects of cold. We provide a comprehensive assessment across the country using a new database of linked administrative and census data with precise meteorological information. Analyzing death records from over 3,000 counties (1993–2005), we find that both cold and hot days increase mortality rates, with hot days disproportionately impacting racial minorities. Our analysis suggests that recent temperature increases could exacerbate racial disparities in temperature-related deaths, highlighting the need to investigate how climate change affects different population subgroups and exacerbates social inequities.