Midwest Heat Waves Drive Multilingual Safety Campaign and Health Alerts

Extreme heat episodes across the Upper Midwest have prompted public‑health actions in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. In Minnesota, Asian Media Access partnered with Oromo Diaspora Media, the Islamic Civic Society of America and Somali TV to produce a multilingual "Beat the Heat" video series in English, Spanish, Hmong, Oromo and Somali. The videos, developed with guidance from Hennepin County heat experts, advise residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat, recognize signs of heat exhaustion and stroke, check on vulnerable neighbours and use cooling centers.

In Wisconsin, back‑to‑back heat domes have raised concerns among health officials about heightened risks for heart disease, kidney problems, and drug‑overdose incidents. Healthy Climate Wisconsin warned that high temperatures increase mortality among dialysis patients and exacerbate conditions for outdoor workers. Public‑health agencies in Madison and Dane County issued alerts about a surge in opioid overdoses and urged the public to take preventive measures during extreme heat periods.