The mobile medical units are administering IV fluids and treating heat-related illnesses as extreme heat blankets the Southwest.
A Phoenix nonprofit, Circle the City, is providing mobile medical services to the city’s unhoused populations as temperatures in Arizona and across the Southwest soar to record highs.
“The organization’s goal is to break down barriers to medical care, and one way it does that is through its five mobile medical units. Each medical unit rotates to different locations in Phoenix and Glendale and helps treat general, urgent, and behavioral healthcare needs,” explains Alaina Kwan for KOLD.
The units are equipped with medications such as antibiotics and topical treatments and can perform minor procedures. “According to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bill Ellert, the units have been treating a lot of heat-related illnesses, such as heat strokes and exhaustion. Throughout the heat wave, Dr. Ellert said the need for medical care and attention has grown in all its service areas, especially rehydration.”
The teams administer life-saving IV fluids to unhoused residents who may not be able to properly hydrate with water alone during extreme heat waves. Extreme heat poses severe public health risks, particularly to unhoused people who have little access to water and shelter.
FULL STORY: Mobile medical units care for homeless people during Arizona’s extreme temps
Extreme Heat Responsible for Growing Death Rates Among Unhoused People
Extreme heat events like the ‘heat dome’ that baked Southern California last summer kill a disproportionate number of people experiencing homelessness, who have fewer resources to protect themselves from the scorching sun.
Phoenix Announces Shade Action Plan
The city has outlined 11 strategic priorities aimed at addressing the risks of extreme heat and protecting vulnerable residents from its impacts.
Addressing the Perils of Extreme Heat
With this year bringing on more record heat waves, governments at the local and federal levels are elevating extreme heat management as an urgent priority.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)