Transcript Slides: Heat

Climate Change and Health:
the Effects of Heat
Mona Sarfaty, MD MPH FAAFP
Director, Program on Climate and Health
Center for Climate Change Communication (4C)
September 20, 2015
DECLARATIONS
I Have No Commercial Interests
to Declare Related to this Presentation
Presentation is partially supported by the
George Mason University Foundation
Health Effect: Heat
Significant as Leading Cause of Mortality from Extreme Weather
U.S. Deaths Attributed to Weather Conditions 2000-2009*
Winter Storm 7%
Cold 5%
Heat 24%
Lightning 8%
Wind 9%
Tornado 11%
Hurricanes 23%
Flood 13%
*NOAA 2010 in http://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/pubs/ClimateChangeandExtremeHeatEvents.pdf
Outline
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How is the temperature changing in the U.S.?
What is an extreme heat event?
Who is vulnerable to heat events?
What kinds of problems do heat events cause?
What can we do about them?
Global Heat Anomalies
The NOAA global climate record for land and ocean temperatures over the last
136 years in which June of 2015 is now the all-time hottest. Image source: NOAA
Heat in the U.S.?
• The August average temperature for contiguous U.S. was above average….
• The August maximum temperature for contiguous U.S was above average….
• The August minimum (nighttime) temperature for contiguous U.S was above
average….
• But what about people’s individual experience where they live? (next slide)
*http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/national/201508
What are Extreme
HeatHeat
Events:
Extreme
• Extreme heat events are characterized
by weather that is substantially hotter
and/or more humid for a particular
location at a particular time. Occur in
all terrains (rural, surburban, urban).*
• Why hotter AND/OR more humid
*Hayhoe K, et al., PNAS 2004.
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Who is Vulnerable to Heat Injury
• Risk factors
– Age: old and young
– Chronic diseases (heart, pulmonary, renal, mental health)
– Impaired mobility
– Lack of air conditioning
– People on certain medications
– People engaged in outdoor activities
– Homeless
Health Professionals Understand Why Risk Increases
• Groups at increased risk:
• Elderly
– sweat less, less thirst drive
• Non-ambulatory
– May not seek cooler locations or hydrate
• Cardiopulmonary and renal conditions
– Circulatory burden and dehydration
• Mental health medications
– Thermoregulation
• Children (0-4) and older kids – thermoregulatory issues and activities
• Sports Enthusiasts – may overdo
• Laborers – may be placed at greater risk
• Homeless – may not recognize the danger or have resources to cope
What You Should Do about Heat Illness
• If mild, hydrate and get away from heat
• If more severe (heat exhaustion), hydrate, cool, move to a
better location
• If heat stroke, seek emergency care
What does extreme heat mean for personal health?
 Mild Symptoms (rash, heat fatigue)
 Heat Exhaustion
 Thirst, rapid heart beat
 Weak/Dizzy
 Cramps/Headache
 Nausea/Vomiting
 Profuse Sweating
 Heat Stroke:
 Confusion, Fainting, Coma
 Skin dry or moist
 Core (rectal) temp>104⁰
 Risk of Mortality
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*http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/warning.html
Preventing Heat Injury and Mortality
• Adequate protecting people requires clinical AND public health
teams
• Clinical teams can reach the vulnerable directly
• Public Health teams can also reach the vulnerable directly and
indirectly
• Government has a role to play
• Communication is key
Preventing Mortality, continued
• Risk Communication
– Clinical teams: identify and warn those at risk,
see them directly or contact them
– Mass media (radio, television)
• Alerts
• Awareness of the problem
– Neighborhood: buddy systems, block captains
• Public Health Systems
– Cooling centers
– Outreach teams
• Local government – can create more options
Less cooling green spaces, less air flow due to large
buildings, more heat absorbing surfaces.
Adaptation is Saving Lives
Community strategies to reduce heat risks
Cooler areas have vegetation and/or water
Resource (and Tool Kit)
http://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/pubs/ClimateChangeandExtremeHeatEvents.pdf
Bringing Adaptation and Mitigation Together
• To address the ongoing accumulation of greenhouse gas in the
atmosphere that is causing warmer than average temperatures
and an increasing number of days with extreme heat in many
areas, we must address the underlying drivers of this change.
• This means policy change that will reduce the flow of
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere that result from
burning fossil fuels.
• More on this in the afternoon.
End of Heat Section
Thank You!
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