Manufactured Home Residents Face Elevated Heat-Related Death Risk in U.S.
A new investigation by NPR and Boston University reveals that approximately 9,000 Americans die from heat-related causes annually, a figure more than five times higher than federal statistics indicate. A significant portion of these deaths occurs among residents of manufactured homes, such as mobile homes and trailers. Research by geographer Patricia Solis at Arizona State University found that mobile home residents in Maricopa County are six to eight times more likely to die from heat-related issues compared to those in traditional housing. This heightened vulnerability is attributed to several factors, including the age and condition of many manufactured homes, which often have poor insulation and inadequate cooling systems. Many older units, built before stricter federal building codes were enacted in 1976, are not designed to withstand extreme temperatures. Additionally, the financial constraints faced by many residents make it difficult to afford necessary repairs or high electricity bills for cooling... 
