Tółikan Chapter amplifies CDC heat safety message

By Donovan Quintero | Jun 22, 2025 | Health |

WINDOW ROCK

Tółikan Chapter recently shared a heat safety advisory from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on its social media page. The advisory urges residents with heart disease to take precautions as summer temperatures intensify across the Southwest.

The CDC document, “5 Steps to Prepare for Hot Days for People with Heart Disease,” outlines specific actions people with cardiovascular disease should take to protect themselves. These include staying hydrated with water, avoiding sugary and alcoholic drinks, checking daily heat risk forecasts, and avoiding outdoor activities when heat alerts are in effect. The guidance also includes a checklist for symptoms such as dizziness, heavy sweating, shortness of breath, and nausea, which could indicate worsening heart conditions.

The chapter’s public outreach reflects growing concern over the vulnerability of Navajo citizens to heat-related health risks, particularly among those already facing high rates of cardiovascular disease.

According to the Navajo Epidemiology Center, heart disease continues to be the second leading cause of death on the Navajo Nation, trailing only unintentional injuries. Between the reporting periods of 2006-09 and 2015-17, heart disease remained consistently among the top five causes of mortality for Navajo men and women combined.

The Navajo Nation is home to an estimated 423,412 people, including roughly 165,000 living within the reservation and another 258,000 in surrounding border towns and urban areas. Over 27,000 square miles across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, the Nation’s size and remoteness have contributed to persistent public health challenges.

The NEC, part of the Navajo Department of Health, serves this large and diverse population by tracking disease trends, analyzing mortality and hospitalization data, and developing prevention strategies tailored to Navajo communities.

In addition to its mortality findings, the NEC reports that Navajo people face disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions associated with heart disease, including diabetes and obesity. These underlying health issues increase the risk of heart failure and are further exacerbated by extreme heat events.

The NEC has also cautioned that COVID-19, substance abuse, and liver disease may also be shifting the health landscape, with indirect effects on cardiovascular outcomes.

The timing of Tółikan Chapter’s CDC advisory comes amid heightened attention to national findings released by the American Heart Association in August 2024. A national study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that 16.5% of Native American adults developed heart failure, more than any other racial or ethnic group included in the study. The data, collected from over 9,000 adults as part of the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) project, revealed that Native communities also experience higher prevalence of related conditions, such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes.

Although the study did not break down its findings by individual tribe, its conclusions align with data previously reported by the Navajo Epidemiology Center. Health officials say prevention, early detection, and culturally informed outreach are critical to reducing avoidable cardiovascular deaths.

Tółikan Chapter’s decision to distribute the CDC’s resources is part of a larger effort by local Navajo governments to connect their communities with timely, accessible health information. As part of the CDC’s guidance, residents with heart disease are encouraged to talk with health care providers about how high temperatures may affect medications and chronic conditions. The document also urges families to prepare for power outages, air quality concerns, and transportation challenges – all of which can impact vulnerable populations during extended heat events.

According to the CDC, people with heart disease should take the following precautions during hot days: remain in cool, shaded, or air-conditioned areas; stay hydrated with plain water and avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol; track the Air Quality Index and remain indoors if pollution levels are high; avoid outdoor physical activity during the hottest times of the day; and be alert to early symptoms of heat stress, such as fatigue, dizziness, or difficulty breathing. Individuals are also advised to check in regularly with their health care providers and ensure their medications are stored safely and taken as prescribed, especially during power outages or emergencies.

Temperatures across the Navajo Nation have already reached the mid 90s, with winds gusting up to 50 mph as summer begins.