Heat deaths drop dramatically in Louisiana, but health officials still urge caution

The number of heat-related deaths in Louisiana is on a steep decline, but state health officials are still urging the public to take precautions as extreme summertime heat surges on. 

Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein confirmed in a news conference Friday that seven of the eight deaths were people 65 and older, and three were also related to substance use. 

The warnings come as Louisiana reaches the middle of its extreme heat season, which runs from May to October. The health department advises people more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, such as adults 65 and older, children and those on medications that affect heat tolerance, to take steps to reduce their risk.

“Heat-related deaths, to be clear, are largely preventable,” Greenstein said. “This is a hot year for sure. But if we take precautions, we can keep these numbers very low.”

Louisiana started tracking its heat-related deaths in 2023 after a record-setting year of high temperatures. From 2023-25, there were 172 heat-related deaths: 88 in 2023; 53 in 2024; and 31 last year. 

“We’re in a three-year decline,” said Greenstein. “I’d like to make this a record-setting low year for us.”

Despite the trend of lower overall numbers, there is still cause for concern within Louisiana’s heat-related death data.  

Of the 172 deaths since 2023, adults 65 and older accounted for 38% of the total — much higher than the 19% of the state population they represent. Also, 60% of the people who died were indoors in apartments or houses, and 15% had no or limited air conditioning.

Work-related deaths accounted for 8% of the state’s heat-related fatalities since 2023, a figure Greenstein said is “systemically undercounted” and might not represent the whole number. 

“Occupations most frequently cited in In emergency department records include construction, public safety and landscaping,” he said. “Workers are often unaware that they’re experiencing symptoms.”

Key symptoms include dizziness, racing heart, shortness of breath, nausea, weakness, heavy sweating or extreme thirst. Hydration, rest, shade or cool indoor spaces are recommended to stave off heat-related illness, according to Greenstein.