HEAT'S DEADLY EFFECTS

PRE-QUIZ

QUESTION #1

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, what was the deadliest type of extreme weather event to strike the US? a) Tornadoesb) Floodsc) Heat

QUESTION #2

The urban heat island phenomenon causes warmer temperatures in cities during both the daytime and the nighttime.

a. Trueb. False

QUESTION #3

The European heat wave in 2003 caused how many deaths?

a) 700b) 7,000c) 70,000d) 700,000

QUESTION #4

According to the IPCC, heat waves are expected to increase in

a. Frequencyb. Magnitudec. Durationd. All of the above

QUESTION #5

Describe 3 consequences of heat stroke.

QUESTION #6

When high heat threatens, what anticipatory guidance can health practitioners give to patients and their families to help them stay safe? Give three examples.

HEAT'S DEADLY EFFECTS

2012 IPCC SPECIAL REPORT

The IPCC is “virtually certain” [99-100% certainty] that [by the end of this century] the earth will experience a decrease in the frequency and magnitude of cold days/nights and an increase in frequency and magnitude of unusually warm days and nights.

IPCC PROJECTIONS

Jami Dwyer, Wikimedia Commons

IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH

Arvind Balaraman, freedigitalphotos.net

HEAT CRAMPS

Muscle pains or spasms Abdomen, arms, or legs Occur with strenuous activity in the presence of

heat Due to salt imbalance

Stop all activity, and sit in a cool place. Drink clear juice or a sports beverage. No strenuous activity for a few hours after the

cramps subside because further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Seek medical attention if heat cramps do not subside in 1 hour.

HEAT EXHAUSTION Symptoms

Intense Thirst Heavy sweating Weak, pale Headache Nausea/vomiting Dizziness/fainting Fatigue

Core temp normal or slightly elevated

Skin moist/cool

HEAT STROKE Heat exhaustion may

progress to heat stroke, which is a severe illness.

Core body temperature of 105°F+

Hot, dry skin Delirium Convulsions Coma Possible death

EXTREME HEAT CAN LEAD TO DEATH

750 people died from heat-related illness in the 1995 Chicago heat wave

The number of reported heat-related deaths and illness is expected to rise due to the projected increase in frequency, duration, and magnitude of extreme heat events.

HEAT, AIR POLLUTION, RESPIRATORY ISSUES

As people turn on their air conditioning during heat waves, their use of fossil fuels increases the amount of air pollution in the atmosphere.

This pollution may exacerbate preexisting conditions such as angina and asthma and may lead to increased death rates.

RESPIRATORY ISSUES: OZONE

Healthy Airway Inflamed Airway

CARDIOVASCULAR ISSUES

Heat increases skin blood vessel dilation, affects blood pressure, and increases effective blood volume

Incidence of stroke and cardiovascular hospitalizations increase as temperature increases.

Increased ozone due to increasing temperature affects the cardiovascular system and can increase the risk of heart arrhythmias and heart attack.

CASE STUDY: 2003 EUROPEAN HEAT WAVE

Final estimate: 70,000 excess deaths

Greatest impact: elderly, the chronically ill and young children

In typically cool Europe, many people had no air conditioning

According to a study lead by climate expert, Dr. Peter Stott, “If greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, by the 2040s more than half of European summers will be hotter than the summer of 2003, and by the end of this century, a summer as hot as that of 2003 will be considered unusually cool.” Jami Dwyer, Wikimedia Commons

HEAT’S INDIRECT IMPACTS ON HEALTH

A. Davey, Flickr USDA, Wikimedia Commons

VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES

• Prolonged higher average temperatures can increase transmission of vector-borne diseases

PRECIPITATION EVENTS

• Rising temperatures increase global evaporation rates.

• Increasing sea temperatures increase hurricane intensity and duration

• More intense hurricanes, flooding, and storms.

IMPACTS ON AGRICULTURE

Warmer temperatures: reduce overall crop

yields; decrease rates of

photosynthesis, reduce soil moisture;

Increase water demand and survival of plant pests, diseases and weeds

HEAT CONTRIBUTES TO WILDFIRES

• Extended periods of drought and decreased soil moisture raise the risk of wildfires

• Increasing wildfires can lead to death or injury, and increase fine particulate air pollution

HEAT AFFECTS MENTAL HEALTH

Heat waves contribute to more alcohol and substance abuse.

Prolonged and more severe heat waves increase homicide, suicide, physical abuse, and spousal abuse.

Just an increase of 1 degree F may increase the risk of violent behavior, especially in warm climates and the inner city.

The mentally ill are also a vulnerable population.

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS:

Elderly About 0.5 - 2% of the

annual deaths in older age groups in Europe is due to heat

Pre-existing medical condition

Immobile Mental illness Economically

disadvantaged

HEAT WAVE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES

Work with local governments Expand local green spaces and

plant more trees to reduce heat islands

Paint surfaces white (roofs, asphalt, parking lots)

Establish heat monitoring and warning systems

Set up local cooling centers and provide transportation to these centers

Create social support networks across vulnerable populations 31

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HEAT WAVE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES:

When outdoors, limit physical exertion, stay in the shade, wear loose clothing and hats

Take cool showers and baths Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids Eat lightly. Avoid using stoves or ovens to heat food Close curtains and blinds to keep out sunlight Use air conditioning when available or move to lower

floors Identify location of and transportation to local cooling

centers Establish a “buddy system” Be familiar with the signs and symptoms of heat

cramps, heat exhaustion and stroke

Anticipatory guidance for patients:

PREVENTING CLIMATE CHANGE:

Renewable energy makes good environmental and economic sense

Use alternative energy sources for lighting, heating and powering your home

Alternative sources of energy are less vulnerable to energy disruptions in the event of a disaster

33

Photos: HCWH, Practice Greenhealth

Alternative Energy Generation:

CLINICIANS CAN PLAY A KEY ROLE COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE

Encourage green practices and energy efficiency in your medical facility

Provide brochures, relevant literature and informational posters in waiting areas and lobbies to educate patients and their families about how they can reduce their emissions

Make recommendations to patients that improve health and wellbeing and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (such as eat less meat, walk and bike more, use public transit) 34

POST-QUIZ

QUESTION #1

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, what was the deadliest type of extreme weather event to strike the US? a) Tornadoesb) Floodsc) Heat

QUESTION #2

The urban heat island phenomenon causes warmer temperatures in cities during both the daytime and the nighttime.

a. Trueb. False

QUESTION #3

The European heat wave in 2003 caused how many deaths?

a) 700b) 7,000c) 70,000d) 700,000

QUESTION #4

According to the IPCC, heat waves are expected to increase in

a. Frequencyb. Magnitudec. Durationd. All of the above

QUESTION #5

Describe 3 consequences of heat stroke.1) Core body temperature of 105°F+ 2) Hot, dry skin 3) Delirium4) Convulsions5) Coma6) Possible death

QUESTION #6When high heat threatens, what anticipatory guidance can health practitioners give to patients and their families to help them stay safe? Give three examples.

When outdoors, limit physical exertion, stay in the shade, wear loose clothing and hats

Take cool showers and baths Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids Eat lightly. Avoid using stoves or ovens to heat food Close curtains and blinds to keep out sunlight Use air conditioning when available or move to lower floors Identify location of and transportation to local cooling centers Establish a “buddy system” Be familiar with the signs and symptoms of heat cramps, heat

exhaustion and stroke

JOIN TOGETHER FOR CHANGE

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