[EQ] Heat-health action plans

Heat–health action plans

 

Edited by: Franziska Matthies, Graham Bickler, Neus Cardeñosa Marín, Simon Hales

World Health Organization May 2008 - The Regional Office for Europe

 

Available online as PDF file [58p.] at: http://www.euro.who.int/Document/E91347.pdf

 

“…..Climate change is leading to variations in weather patterns and an apparent increase in extreme weather events, including heat-waves. Recent heat-waves in Europe have led to a rise in related mortality but the adverse health effects of hot weather and heat-waves are largely preventable.

 

Prevention requires a portfolio of actions at different levels, including meteorological early warning systems, timely public and medical advice, improvements to housing and urban planning and ensuring that health care and social systems are ready to act. These actions can be integrated into a defined heat–health action plan.

 

This guidance results from the EuroHEAT project on improving public health responses to extreme weather/heat-waves, co-funded by the European Commission. It explains the importance of the development of heat–health action plans, their characteristics and core elements, with examples from several European countries that have begun their implementation and evaluation….”

 

Content:

Executive summary

1. Introduction

1.1. Climate change, heat-waves and public health responses

1.2. How to use this guide

2. Heat and health

2.1. Short-term relationships between temperatures and health outcomes

2.2. Vulnerable population groups

2.3. Interaction between heat and air pollution

3. Heat–health action plans

3.1. General principles applicable to heat–health action plans

3.2. Core elements of heat–health action plans

3.3. Summary

References

Further reading

Web links to selected European heat–health action plans

Annex: Public health response to heat-waves: a set of information sheets

http://www.euro.who.int/Document/Gch/Annex_heatwaves_info.pdf

1. Recommendations for the public during heat-waves

2. Vulnerable population groups

3. Recommendations for general practitioners

4. Some recommendations for retirement and care home managers

5. Adverse effects of drugs during hot weather

6. Considerations for medical professionals regarding drinking recommendations during hot weather and heat-waves

7. Key principles of heat risk communication

8. Mild and moderate heat illnesses and their management

9. Management of life-threatening heatstroke

10. Reducing indoor temperatures during hot weather

 

 

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