# US cities add cooling centers but can't lure people inside

As extreme heat intensifies across the US, many cities have expanded cooling centers to provide relief. But officials say attendance remains low because of stigma, lack of awareness, and transportation issues. The underuse undermines public health efforts to prevent heat-related deaths.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### World
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/07/cooling-centers-us-extreme-heat) — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 12:00:17 GMT