12 News: Maricopa County had highest number of heat-related deaths in 2023. Doctors warn this summer could be ‘same or even worse.’

PHOENIX — A Valley emergency room doctor is concerned the best preparations may not be enough to stop heat deaths this year.

In 2023, data shows 645 people died in Maricopa County from heat-related deaths. Maricopa County reports that is the highest number of heat-related deaths ever recorded and was a 52% increase from the year before.

Sklar has worked at Valleywise for seven years but has been practicing medicine for more than 35. Over that time, Sklar said he’d never seen people coming in with temperatures of 107 and above, unconscious and in such distress every day.

“That was what really alerted me to the fact that we had seen something rather unusual and something really quite terrible going on in our community,” Sklar said.

Sklar authored an op-ed, outlining his concerns and ideas for what more can be done to help prevent deaths while giving credit to those at the city, county, and state levels for working to create plans. He’s concerned there will be a repeat of last summer.

“I’m really worried that we could have even more, a lot more people dying, and overwhelm our whole healthcare system,” Sklar said.

It’s a concern shared by those who provide healthcare to those experiencing homelessness before they get to the emergency room.

“As we prepare for this summer, we have to be prepared for the same or even worse than last summer,” Dr. William Ellert, Chief Medical Officer for Circle the City, said.