Dying of Thirst ... Right Here in North America

Last time I checked, America was a developed country. And last time I checked, Starbucks wasn't donating five cents per bottle of Ethos water sold in order to hydrate thirsty American families, because Americans have access to water, right? It's always some other people in some other country that go thirsty. Not that I'm dogging Starbucks or anyone's efforts to bring food or water to people who need it the most, but I was shocked to learn that right here in North America there are people dying of thirst — homeless people.

In Maricopa County, Arizona, for example, the county's homeless accounted for 19 percent of heat-related deaths in 2009. Though many of the deaths occurred indoors, in private residences, the homeless and the poor have the least access to protections like water, shelter and cool air.

Risk factors for heat-related deaths include homelessness, age (the very young or older adults), mental health or medical conditions, poverty, overexertion, social isolation and lack of air conditioning. The homeless are poor, sometimes have a mental health or a medical condition, could be socially isolated and most likely lack access to air conditioning. The odds are against them. Some Maricopa County heat-related deaths occurred on the street, in a car and in the desert. It's safe to assume that these were mostly unhoused people.

Imagine dying in the desert, alone, sucked dry like an apricot because you didn't have access to enough water or a home. Staying hydrated and cool during summer months while homeless is a challenge because it's not so easy when there's not even a faucet accessible.

In 2005, there was an increase in the amount of heat-related homeless deaths in Maricopa County, which fueled its water-bottle donation campaign. These campaigns are not unique to Maricopa County. Unfortunately, the homeless are dying of thirst due to heat-related deaths in other North American regions like Houston, Knoxville and Toronto.

In St. Louis, Missouri, Damon Witherbee, a resident of a tent city ironically called Hopeville, explained that access to water is so limited among the homeless that people hoard it, although volunteer workers there are doing their best to distribute food and water. Michael at the SLO Homeless blog asks, "Now ask yourself this question: isn't it worth denying youself a cup of designer [Starbucks] coffee to provide a bottle of water to one of your fellow human beings?" I'm not implying that any reader would refuse a heat-exhausted homeless person a bottle of water in order to purchase a fancy cup of coffee, but his question certainly puts things into perspective, no?

So what can you do? One of our writers who is formerly homeless gave some great tips for beating the heat while homeless. Also, find out if there are any water-bottle campaigns in your area and donate (try contacting your local health department or homeless services agencies). They really need the donations; in some areas, volunteers give out hundreds of bottles per day. If you are local to Arizona, consider printing this brochure (pdf) and handing it out to the homeless in your area. It lists locations of cooling stations, tips to beat the heat, and signs and symptoms of heat-related sickness. Heat-related deaths are preventable, especially in North America.

Photo credit: albertopveiga