‘Silent killer’: more than half of heatwave deaths are in disadvantaged areas – now Australian councils are fighting back

Deaths from heat are disproportionately high among outside workers, the elderly, people with pre-existing conditions and those who are socially disadvantaged. Photograph: Matt York/AP

Extreme heat is one of the deadliest natural forces in Australia, but more than half of deaths during heatwaves occur in the most disadvantaged areas of the country. With a hot and dry summer on the way, some councils are implementing new services to protect the most vulnerable.

“Extreme heat is a silent killer,” says Krista Milne, one of two “chief heat officers” recently appointed by the City of Melbourne. “That’s not really understood by the community because of the lack of visual cues.”