Heat Illness
Heat illness refers to a spectrum of conditions (e.g., heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke).
Heat illness occurs when the body cannot compensate for increased core temperature due to environmental heat and/or metabolic heat produced by physical exertion.
Heat Illness Impacts Readiness
- Heat illness is a threat to individual health and to military operational success
- Since 2014, each year more than 1,500 Soldiers have developed a heat illness that required medical attention and/or lost duty time
- Heat illnesses were responsible for more than 20,500 lost/limited duty days in 2017
- Heat illness and dehydration can significantly degrade performance and increase core body temperature
- Losing as much as 4% of body weight from dehydration degrade physical performance
- Every 1% loss of body weight increases core temperature (0.10-0.23⁰C or 0.18-0.40⁰F) increasing risk of a more serious heat illness
If you have additional questions, please contact the APHC Disease Epidemiology Division at:
Email Address: usarmy.apg.medcom-aphc.mbx.disease-epidemiologyprogram13@mail.mil
Telephone: 410-417-2377
DSN: 867-2377
