Extreme Heat Is Here: What You Need To Know

July 25, 2025

Per the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City is under a heat advisory today from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM with the heat index forecasted to reach up to 105 degrees. Cooling centers will be open. Hot temperatures will continue next week, with forecasted heat indices of 94 degrees on Sunday (July 27), 95 degrees on Monday, 100 degrees on Tuesday and 94 degrees on Wednesday.

Home care, hospice and other health care providers, as well as health plans, should anticipate an increase in heat-related illnesses and complications from vulnerable populations and be aware of symptoms of possible heat-related illnesses, such as dehydration, heat stroke, and complications from heart and lung disease. Agencies should consider reaching out to their most vulnerable patients and encouraging them and their caregivers to stay cool and well hydrated.

More than 500 New Yorkers die prematurely from heat every summer. Heat can cause hyperthermia and worsen existing medical conditions and mental health problems.

Above all, providers and health plans have the responsibility to remain especially vigilant during high heat conditions, to monitor the health status of their staff, patients and residents. Healthcare providers should take the necessary precautions to ensure that patients, residents, staff and visitors are comfortable and safe.

Provider Recommendations

Instruct at-risk patients and their caregivers to use home air conditioners or seek cooling centers or locations that are air-conditioned such as a mall, library or supermarket; if patients must remain home, they should stay on the lowest floor of their home and use window shades or sheets to block the sun at windows. A list of cooling centers can be found on the NYSDOH Cooling Center Locator.
Consider using tools available to them, such as patient notification systems, to reach out to their most vulnerable patients and encourage them and their caregivers to stay cool and well hydrated.
Discuss with staff and patients the symptoms of heat-related illness and risk of exacerbating chronic health conditions.
Immediately report deaths where heat exposure is suspected as a direct or contributing cause to the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner at 212-447-2030.

At Risk Population

The at-risk population includes people who do not have or use air conditioning and have one or more of these factors:

Are 60 years or older
Chronic health conditions (cardiovascular/renal disease, respiratory conditions, psychiatric illnesses, obesity, diabetes, cognitive or developmental disorders that impair judgement or self-care)
Use of diuretics, anticholinergics, psychotropics, or any medications affecting thermoregulation
Illicit drug or heavy alcohol use
Social isolation or limited mobility
Extended outdoor exposure (e.g. outdoor workers, athletes, etc).

A combination of these risk factors is also more likely to be found among adults age 65 and older.

Sample Client Conversation

“I want to check in with you because the weather is getting dangerously hot. Do you have an air conditioner at home? If not, let’s figure out a cool place you can go during the hottest part of the day, like a Cooling Center, a library, or a friend’s home. It’s important because fans alone are not enough when it’s this hot. Also, remember to drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty, and avoid going out between 11 AM and 4 PM. Do you have someone who can check in with you during the heat wave? If not, let’s set that up.”

Resources

For more safety tips, visit the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Safety Tips .

New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert, a free service providing critical emergency information to their cell phone or computer. For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website.