AUSTIN, Texas — With forecasters warning of another dangerously hot summer driven by an emerging El Niño pattern, Texas Physicians for Social Responsibility (Texas PSR) is convening its first-ever Texas Heat Summit on Thursday.

The free, one-day virtual event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing together healthcare professionals, public health leaders, students, and community members to address the growing health risks of extreme heat.

Organizers say the summit—the first of its kind in Texas—comes at a critical moment, as rising temperatures and intensifying drought conditions continue to threaten public health across the state. Sessions will focus on how heat impacts people across the lifespan and what can be done at the community and policy level to reduce risks.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 2,300 people died from heat exposure in 2023, the hottest summer ever recorded globally. However, experts estimate the true number of heat-related deaths could be six to ten times higher, potentially exceeding 12,500 nationwide. Beyond mortality, extreme heat is increasingly linked to broader societal effects, including reduced economic productivity and impacts on human fertility.

“We as a state and a nation need to take the risk heat poses to human health more seriously,” said Adelita Cantu, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of the Texas PSR board. “What many people don’t realize is that heat doesn’t just affect us day to day—it impacts fertility, pregnancy, and, by extension, our future.”

The summit’s opening panel will examine health risks at early stages of life and in youth athletics. Dr. Kimberly Carter will discuss research on how rising temperatures may reduce fertility rates and increase pregnancy risks, while Dr. Irvin Sulapas will address strategies to protect student athletes from heat-related illness.

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A second panel will broaden the discussion to vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, agricultural workers, and older adults. Featured speakers include Dr. Mudit Gilotra, Dr. Bethany Boggess Alcauter, and Dr. Angela Cadic.

At 12:10 p.m., medical anthropologist Dr. Rose Jones will present ethnographic research highlighting the lived experiences of Texans who have survived extreme heat exposure.

Afternoon sessions will shift toward solutions, with nonprofit leaders and local government officials discussing ways to improve tracking of heat-related deaths and implement community-level protections. The event will conclude with breakout sessions aimed at identifying actionable next steps.

Registration for the virtual summit is free and open to the public, and can be accessed here.