He died in a sweltering house. Why doesn't his death record show it?
An NPR investigation reveals that official U.S. death records significantly undercount the number of fatalities caused by extreme heat. The report highlights how climate change is increasing the frequency of dangerous heat events, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.
Why it matters
Accurate data is essential for public health policy and climate adaptation strategies to prevent heat-related deaths.
An NPR investigation finds that heat kills thousands of Americans every year. But official records radically undercount the toll. In this series, we are bringing you stories that reveal why this happens and what can be done.
Heat is killing thousands more Americans every year than official data suggests, and the U.S. health system is struggling to document its often silent role.
Debbie Willson is acutely aware of how a death can fall through the cracks.
Only on NPR NPR spent 2 years tracking deaths from heat. We found a staggering hidden toll Debbie and her son, Adam Willson, lived in a sun-scorched neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona. They were both born with a genetic disorder called DiGeorge syndrome, which caused them heart problems. Adam also had cerebral palsy and some developmental delays, so Debbie cared for him full time, even after he became an adult.
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