The number of heat-related deaths in Iowa in recent years may be significantly undercounted.
NPR partnered with Boston University scientists to model the number of heat-related deaths across the nation between 2018 and 2025, excluding 2020 because the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted mortality patterns.
The investigation estimated Iowa had around 93 heat-related deaths on average per year during this time frame.
That's significantly higher than the Centers for Disease Control's reported average of about 9 deaths per year.
Clint Hawthorne is an emergency room doctor at UnityPoint in Des Moines. He said the very young and very old are at highest risk for heat-related illnesses and death.
“It's just easier for those who are at the extreme of ages to get overheated because their compensatory mechanisms aren't as robust,” Hawthorne said.
The report comes as some parts of Iowa are under a heat advisory through Wednesday.
