As temperatures rise across Nevada, so does the risk of overdose. This webinar explores the dangerous intersection of extreme heat and substance use, examining how high temperatures can intensify the effects of opioids and stimulants and increase the risk of overdose, overamping, and death.
Presenters Brandon Delise, MPH, CIC, and Taylor Lensch, Ph.D., MPH, bring epidemiological expertise and local Nevada data to this important conversation. Attendees will learn how heat physiologically interacts with substances in the body, explore seasonal and geographic overdose patterns, and leave with practical strategies for recognizing warning signs and reducing risk during extreme heat events.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe how extreme heat physiologically interacts with opioids and stimulants to increase the risk of overdose, overamping, and mortality.
- Identify temporal, seasonal, and geographic patterns associated with overdose mortality during periods of extreme heat in Clark County, Nevada.
- Understand strategies that individuals and organizations can use to recognize warning signs and reduce risk during extreme heat events.
Presented by:
- Brandon Delise, MPH, CIC, is a Sr. Epidemiologist at the Southern Nevada Health District, where he has worked since 2018 leading efforts to monitor, develop, and enhance surveillance systems related to drug overdose and emergency medical services (EMS). Prior to his role as an Epidemiologist, Brandon served as a Disease Investigation & Intervention Specialist at the Southern Nevada Health District. He earned his Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Edinburgh and holds Certification in Infection Control (CIC). His research interests include injury epidemiology, trauma, substance use, opioid overdose prevention, and public health surveillance.
- Taylor Lensch, Ph.D., MPH, has a comprehensive background in public health, with expertise in epidemiology, population-based survey research, evaluation, community engagement, and advanced data analysis. He currently serves as Data Analytics Manager of the Larson Institute for Health Impact and Equity and collaborates with federal, state, local, and community partners to conduct community-engaged research, needs assessments, and evaluations on issues such as substance use, childhood adversity, HIV/STDs, sexual and gender minority health, and health equity. Dr. Lensch and his team work closely with diverse governmental and community stakeholders to develop key health-related plans and reports, including the 2022 – 2026 Nevada HIV Integrated Prevention and Care Plan, the Nevada Viral Hepatitis Elimination Plan, Outbreak Response Plans, various needs assessment reports, and monthly and annual Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) reports. His research interests focus on modifiable risk and protective factors linked to behavioral outcomes such as substance use, emotional health, violence, and risky sexual behaviors. Dr. Lensch has published research in high impact public health journals, including Preventive Medicine, Journal of Adolescent Health, and Public Health.
Continuing Education Units: 1 CEUs
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here.
This training is also approved by the Nevada Certification board for the following certifications
- Certified Community Health Workers (CHW)
- Peer Recovery and Support Specialist Certification and PRSS Supervisors (PRSS(-S)
- Prevention
Funding for this activity was made possible in whole or in part by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director’s Office through the Fund for a Resilient Nevada, established in Nevada Revised Statutes 433.712 through 433.744. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in our courses are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence or its funders.