Heatwave: 'A knock on the door makes the difference between life and death'

During extreme heat, community saves lives. NYU sociologist Eric Klinenberg puts it starkly: 'A knock on the door makes the difference between life and death.' When temperatures soar, social infrastructure — neighbors checking on one another, informal networks ensuring vulnerable people have access to cool shelter — proves critical to preventing heat-related deaths. As heatwaves grow more frequent and intense, public health experts argue that strengthening community connections is as essential as preparing physical infrastructure.

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