The impacts of extreme heat are often greater in rural areas than cities despite drawing less attention. Ashley Ward, director of the Nicholas Institute's Heat Policy Innovation Hub, spoke with FOX Weather about ways rural communities can cool off.

A new study found significant associations between both long- and short-term exposure to environmental heat during a pregnancy and severe maternal morbidity. Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub, told The 19th that the study—which she was not involved in—makes a significant contribution to our understanding of heat and has important implications for emergency planners.&n

Through Duke University's summer Climate+ Program, Duke students conducted data-driven research to address climate-related challenges.

One Climate+ team identified urban heat islands in Durham and examined interventions like planting more trees. 

While heatwaves are the deadliest form of weather disaster in the United States, federal law does not spell out that they are eligible for major disaster declarations, which unlocks federal resources for states in need. The omission disincentivizes communities from including extreme heat in their hazard mitigation plans, Jordan Clark, a postdoctoral associate at the Nicholas Institute's Heat Policy Innovation Hub, told The Guardian.

Anyone who needs to work in the heat can protect themselves by drinking plenty of water and taking frequent breaks. However, employment incentives can discourage workers from cooling off, and regulations governing workplaces lag behind the pace of climate change, Ashley Ward, director of the Nicholas Institute's Heat Policy Innovation Hub, told The Messenger.

The new EMS HeatTracker helps with understanding nuances around who is impacted by extreme heat and where, Ashley Ward, director of the Nicholas Institute's Heat Policy Innovation Hub, told The News & Observer. That knowledge could better shape how communities respond, she said.

“We have focused disproportionately on a large number of climate extremes, and heat has not been one of them,” said Ashley Ward, director of the Nicholas Institute's Heat Policy Innovation Hub. Ward told NC Health News that she would like to see more discussion among lawmakers in North Carolina about extreme heat policy.

Ashley Ward, director of the Nicholas Institute's Heat Policy Innovation Hub, spoke with The News & Observer about why wet bulb globe temperature is a better indicator of heat risk in the Southeast than other measurements.

As the school year starts across North Carolina, students are returning to classes, athletics and other activities even as weather forecasters caution about high temperatures. Ashley Ward and Jordan Clark, both of the Nicholas Institute's Heat Policy Innovation Hub, discussed the policy implications for keeping children safe amid extreme heat in this NC Health News article.

Highlands County, FL, has been under numerous heat advisories or excessive heat warnings as middle and high school students gear up for fall sports. Jordan Clark, a postdoctoral associate at the Nicholas Institute's Heat Policy Innovation Hub, offered tips for athletes and coaches to the Highlands News-Sun.