945 - Keeping Cool in One of America's Hottest Cities

Public Health On Call

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

News, Health & Fitness, Medicine

4.6 • 644 Ratings

🗓️ 11 September 2025

⏱️ 15 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

About this episode:

Through the summer, the city of Phoenix consistently hits temperatures upwards of 110 degrees, creating dire conditions for vulnerable populations like outdoor workers and those with substance use disorders. In this episode: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and City Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington detail the city's extreme heat challenges, how other communities can deal with rising temperatures, and the successful cooling interventions championed by local leaders in the Valley of the Sun.

Guest:

Kate Gallego is the 62nd mayor of Phoenix, AZ. During her time in office, she has focused on diversifying the city's economy, investing in infrastructure, and forwarding sustainability.

Kesha Hodge Washington is the District 8 city councilmember for the city of Phoenix. She serves on the Audit Committee, the Economic Development and Housing and Transportation Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittees.

Host:

Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.

Show links and related content:

How Climate Change and Extreme Weather Can Hurt Your Health—U.S. News & World Report
Drop in Heat-Related Deaths Show Importance of Heat Relief Sites Efforts—City of Phoenix
Extreme Heat Hazards—Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Public Health On Call, a podcast from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health,
0:05.9	where we bring evidence, experience, and perspective to make sense of today's leading health challenges.
0:16.3	If you have questions or ideas for us, please send an email to public health question at jhhhu.edu.
0:23.8	That's public health question at jhhu.edu for future podcast episodes.
0:31.5	Hey listeners, it's Lindsay Smith Rogers.
0:34.2	Today, to talk about the impact of heat on public health, we turn to Phoenix, Arizona, arguably one of the hottest major cities in the United States.
0:43.6	Mayor Kate Gallego and Councilwoman Keisha Hodge, Washington, talked to Stephanie Desmond about what it's like to plan for heat that regularly tops 110 degrees in the summer, from closing hiking trails to
0:56.3	creating new shady spots to getting the word out to the most vulnerable.
1:00.6	Let's listen.
1:01.8	Mayor Kate Gallego and Councilwoman Keisha Hodge, Washington, thanks so much for joining me.
1:06.6	Thanks for having us.
1:07.7	Yes, thank you for having us.
1:09.2	So you are among the leaders of Phoenix, Arizona,
1:12.8	where it's pretty hot. I wanted to talk today about the public health issue of heat. Mayor,
1:19.8	I was wondering if you would be willing to start by telling us what Phoenix is facing. Phoenix has
1:25.9	incredible weather much of the year.
1:27.8	We are one of the sunniest cities in the United States, which has incredible blessings,
1:33.0	whether it be for producing solar energy or welcoming Major League Baseball for spring training.
1:38.1	But during the summer, heat is a huge challenge for us.
1:41.4	We're arguably the hottest big city in the country.
1:44.0	We have regular
1:45.2	temperatures above 100 through the summer. And this summer we have hit 118 already.
	...

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