Franziska Matthies1, Bettina Menne. 1. Global Change and Health, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Rome, Italy. evm@ecr.euro.who.int
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The general aim of the EuroHEAT project was to improve public health responses to weather extremes and, in particular, to heatwaves. STUDY DESIGN: The public health responses were developed on the basis of the overall results from the two-year project, "Improving Public Health Responses to Extreme Weather--EuroHEAT," co-funded by the European Commission (DG Sanco). METHODS: A literature review was carried out and a questionnaire was administered to health officials in charge of heat-health action plans in 2005 to survey existing heat-health action plans in Europe, and to identify models of the good practices for national/local preparedness planning. RESULTS: The adverse health effects of heatwaves are largely preventable. Prevention requires a range of actions at different levels: from health system preparedness coordinated with meteorological early warning systems to timely public and medical advice and improvements to housing and urban planning. These actions can be integrated in a defined heat-health action plan. Guidance for the development of heat-health action plans has been made available through EuroHEAT and is being used in various countries in the European Region. CONCLUSIONS: EuroHEAT recommends developing and implementing heat-health action plans at the national and regional levels in Europe to prevent, react upon and contain heat-related risks to health.
OBJECTIVES: The general aim of the EuroHEAT project was to improve public health responses to weather extremes and, in particular, to heatwaves. STUDY DESIGN: The public health responses were developed on the basis of the overall results from the two-year project, "Improving Public Health Responses to Extreme Weather--EuroHEAT," co-funded by the European Commission (DG Sanco). METHODS: A literature review was carried out and a questionnaire was administered to health officials in charge of heat-health action plans in 2005 to survey existing heat-health action plans in Europe, and to identify models of the good practices for national/local preparedness planning. RESULTS: The adverse health effects of heatwaves are largely preventable. Prevention requires a range of actions at different levels: from health system preparedness coordinated with meteorological early warning systems to timely public and medical advice and improvements to housing and urban planning. These actions can be integrated in a defined heat-health action plan. Guidance for the development of heat-health action plans has been made available through EuroHEAT and is being used in various countries in the European Region. CONCLUSIONS: EuroHEAT recommends developing and implementing heat-health action plans at the national and regional levels in Europe to prevent, react upon and contain heat-related risks to health.
Authors: Shakoor Hajat; Scott C Sheridan; Michael J Allen; Mathilde Pascal; Karine Laaidi; Abderrahmane Yagouti; Ugis Bickis; Aurelio Tobias; Denis Bourque; Ben G Armstrong; Tom Kosatsky Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2010-04-15 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Kai Zhang; Richard B Rood; George Michailidis; Evan M Oswald; Joel D Schwartz; Antonella Zanobetti; Kristie L Ebi; Marie S O'Neill Journal: Environ Int Date: 2012-06-05 Impact factor: 9.621
Authors: Emily Ying Yang Chan; William B Goggins; Jacqueline Jakyoung Kim; Sian M Griffiths Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2010-10-25 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: Rachel Lowe; Joan Ballester; James Creswick; Jean-Marie Robine; François R Herrmann; Xavier Rodó Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2015-01-23 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Yan Wang; Jennifer F Bobb; Bianca Papi; Yun Wang; Anna Kosheleva; Qian Di; Joel D Schwartz; Francesca Dominici Journal: Environ Health Date: 2016-08-08 Impact factor: 5.984
Authors: Vladimir Kendrovski; Michela Baccini; Gerardo Sanchez Martinez; Tanja Wolf; Elizabet Paunovic; Bettina Menne Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2017-07-05 Impact factor: 3.390