'Code Red' Heat: The climate emergency is sending more kids of color to the emergency room

The study on heat and pediatric emergency department visits showed children of color were more likely to visit the ER for intestinal infections and diabetes- and obesity-related issues.

USA TODAY

Maria Conchita Pozar’s heart breaks to watch her 4-year-old daughter swelter in California's eastern Coachella Valley desert sun. During frequent power outages and triple-digit temperatures, they can’t turn on the air conditioner in their mobile home.

Each year comes with record-breaking temperatures, recent reports show. Pozar and her rural community of farmworkers take the brunt of it. Families with kids sleep outside or in their running cars with the air on for a couple hours at a time.