More than 5.7 million Floridians, or 26.2 percent of the state's population, are highly vulnerable to extreme heat, according to a new report by the non-partisan Florida Policy Institute (FPI). The think tank found that 13 of the 20 counties with the highest shares of highly vulnerable residents are in North Florida. These counties include Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Highlands, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Okeechobee, Putnam and Sumter.
The U.S. Census Bureau categorizes residents' "social vulnerability" based on several factors such as having a disability or lacking health insurance. FPI describes those with three or more such components as "highly vulnerable."
In its report titled "High Heat, Higher Responsibility: The Sunshine State Must Enact Policies to Protect Working Floridians," FPI highlighted several key findings:
- Nearly half a million Floridians work in outdoor jobs.
- Florida's top three outdoor industries are construction; amusement and recreation; and landscaping.
- Florida has the nation’s highest numbers of heat-related illness (HRI), with 31,011 emergency room visits and hospitalizations between 2018 and 2022.
"As FPI’s latest report shows vulnerability to extreme heat intersects with other quality-of-life determinants including access to health care coverage," said Sadaf Knight CEO of FPI. "When state lawmakers prioritize the safety and the health of working Floridians everyone thrives. But without common-sense workplace protections heat-related illness coupled with Florida’s high uninsured rate will spell trouble for a growing number of residents."
"The need for state intervention concerning heat protections is paramount," said Alexis Tsoukalas PhD senior policy analyst and lead author of the report. "Florida experienced its hottest summer on record last year and is poised to surpass that record this year. And it leads the nation in heat-related illness. Now more than ever requiring employers to offer basic protections like shade and water breaks is critical."
Currently there are no state or federal laws mandating specific heat exposure standards nor any requirement for employers to educate workers on how to spot HRI.
During the 2024 legislative session Florida lawmakers passed HB 433 which preempts local governments from requiring private employers to implement heat-exposure protections.
In its report FPI recommends repealing HB 433 rejecting new preemptions of inclusive worker policies and mandating statewide protection against HRI in Florida.