It's getting hot in here

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Jun 23, 2022 View in browser   By Madi Alexander Presented by THE BIG PICTURE Madi Alexander, POLITICO Pro DataPoint It's getting hot, in case you haven't noticed. This month, 134 counties across 13 states — mostly in the Southwest — are predicted to have five or more days that are hotter than 95 percent of their historical temperatures. That's dangerous for certain populations, including people aged 65 and older, poor people, and people living in mobile homes, who can't cool their environments or themselves as easily. People of color are also particularly at risk — Black New Yorkers are twice as likely to die from hot weather as their white counterparts, according to a report released earlier this month by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Exposure to extreme heat is the top weather-related cause of death nationwide, according to the CDC. Extreme heat also poses particular hazards for workers in industries that require strenuous outdoor work, like agriculture and construction. Health care and social workers have the highest rates of injury and illness, with agriculture, forestry and related fields coming in next-highest, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A message from UnitedHealth Group: At UnitedHealth Group, sustainability is an integral part of our business strategy, culture and mission as we work to ensure the health care system works better for everyone — both now and in the future. Learn more about our progress and new long-term commitments in our recently released 2021 Sustainability Report.   Madi Alexander, POLITICO Pro DataPoint The Biden administration announced last year that it would direct multiple agencies to assess and prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries and deaths. Some of the new policies are underway: — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration implemented a program to protect workers from heat-related hazards and target high-risk industries with both indoor and outdoor worksites. It plans to prioritize inspections on days when the heat index is above 80 degrees, but also increase planned and unplanned inspections and expand campaigns to educate workers and employers on heat illness prevention. — The Department of Health and Human Services allowed additional flexibility for low-income energy bill assistance, including increasing payments and providing free air-conditioning units to low-income families. — The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency launched a prize competition — the Cooling Solutions Challenge — to find eco-friendly, cost-effective technology that reduces heat risks. The challenge emphasizes finding solutions for at-risk populations like infants and people experiencing homelessness. This story originally appeared in POLITICO Pro DataPoint. Learn more about Pro here.   A message from UnitedHealth Group:   YOU TELL US Where are you heading to escape the heat this summer? Hopefully not Yellowstone. Welcome to the Long Game, your source for news on how companies and governments are shaping our future. Team Sustainability is editor Greg Mott, deputy editor Debra Kahn and reporters Lorraine Woellert and Jordan Wolman. Reach us all at gmott@politico.com, dkahn@politico.com, lwoellert@politico.com and jwolman@politico.com. Want more? Don't we all. Sign up for the Long Game. Four days a week and still free!   DON'T MISS THE 2022 GREAT LAKES ECONOMIC FORUM:  POLITICO is excited to be the exclusive media partner again at the Council of the Great Lakes Region's bi-national Great Lakes Economic Forum with co-hosts Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot. This premier, intimate networking event, taking place June 26-28 in Chicago, brings together international, national and regional leaders from business, government, academia and the nonprofit sector each year. "Powering Forward" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect key decision-makers with thought leaders and agents of change to identify and advance solutions that will strengthen the region's competitiveness and sustainability in today's competitive climate of trade, innovation, investment, labor mobility and environmental performance. Register today.     WHAT WE'RE CLICKING — Oregon state rules meant to protect workers from extreme heat and wildfire smoke are being challenged by business groups in the state. Oregon Live has the story. — A Seattle start-up's progress on nuclear fusion promises to continue stoking "fusion fever," if nothing else. — Toyota is recalling 2,700 vehicles from its first batch of mass-produced EVs because of a problem that could cause its wheels to come loose. Reuters has more. — Going vegetarian to help combat climate change? Choosing fruits and vegetables may not be as green as you think, Bloomberg reports. A message from UnitedHealth Group: At UnitedHealth Group, our approach to sustainability reflects our belief that the health of any society is measured by the health and well-being of its people. Our commitment to sustainability is an integral part of our mission and culture, brought to life through collaboration, partnership and the collective efforts of all UnitedHealth Group employees working to positively impact the people and communities we serve. Our 2021 Sustainability Report highlights new long-term commitments focused on advancing health equity and improving environmental health and shares progress toward our ongoing commitments to expanding access to care, improving health care affordability and achieving better health outcomes. Read the report.     STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.       Follow us on Twitter Debra Kahn @debra_kahn Greg Mott @gwmott Lorraine Woellert @Woellert Jordan Wolman @jordanwolman   Follow us

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