Heat waves are responsible for more deaths than hurricanes, tornados, floods, lightning strikes and earthquakes combined. MHD formed the Heat Task Force in direct response to an excessive heat event in July of 1995 in which 91 people in Milwaukee County died from heat-related illness. The task force unites a diverse group of over 20 state, county and local agencies, community-based organizations, health care providers, utilities and the media to prepare for and respond to excessive heat events in Milwaukee. Epidemiologically-identified target populations included the elderly, very young, mentally-ill, cognitively-impaired, anticholinergic drug consumers, severely obese and those with cardiovascular or pulmonary disease.

The goal of this program is to reduce heat-related morbidity and mortality in Milwaukee.

49% to 83% reductions in heat-adjusted morbidity and mortality between 1995 (before) and 1999 (after) heat waves were observed.