OBJECTIVES: Global climate change is increasing the frequency of heat waves, hot weather, and temperature variability, which contribute to mortality and illness. Baseline information on local efforts to reduce heat vulnerability, including public advisories; minimizing greenhouse gas emissions; and mitigating urban heat islands, is lacking. METHODS: We designed a survey about local government programs to prevent health problems and reduce heat exposure during heatwaves and administered it to 285 US communities. RESULTS: Of 70 respondents, 26 indicated that excessive heat events are a significant issue for the local government; 30 had established preventive programs. Local government leadership and public health impacts of heat were cited most frequently as extremely important determinants of preventive programs, followed by implementation costs, economic impacts of hot weather, and greenhouse gas emissions mitigation. Cool paving materials and vegetated roofs were common heat mitigation strategies. Fact sheets and case studies were desired guidance for protecting communities during hot weather. CONCLUSIONS: New partnerships and financial resources are needed to support more widespread local action to prevent adverse health consequences of climate change and promote environmental sustainability.
OBJECTIVES: Global climate change is increasing the frequency of heat waves, hot weather, and temperature variability, which contribute to mortality and illness. Baseline information on local efforts to reduce heat vulnerability, including public advisories; minimizing greenhouse gas emissions; and mitigating urban heat islands, is lacking. METHODS: We designed a survey about local government programs to prevent health problems and reduce heat exposure during heatwaves and administered it to 285 US communities. RESULTS: Of 70 respondents, 26 indicated that excessive heat events are a significant issue for the local government; 30 had established preventive programs. Local government leadership and public health impacts of heat were cited most frequently as extremely important determinants of preventive programs, followed by implementation costs, economic impacts of hot weather, and greenhouse gas emissions mitigation. Cool paving materials and vegetated roofs were common heat mitigation strategies. Fact sheets and case studies were desired guidance for protecting communities during hot weather. CONCLUSIONS: New partnerships and financial resources are needed to support more widespread local action to prevent adverse health consequences of climate change and promote environmental sustainability.
Authors: Michael T Schmeltz; Sonia K González; Liza Fuentes; Amy Kwan; Anna Ortega-Williams; Lisa Pilar Cowan Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2013-10 Impact factor: 3.671
Authors: Christian Witt; André Jean Schubert; Melissa Jehn; Alfred Holzgreve; Uta Liebers; Wilfried Endlicher; Dieter Scherer Journal: Dtsch Arztebl Int Date: 2015-12-21 Impact factor: 5.594
Authors: Natalie R Sampson; Carina J Gronlund; Miatta A Buxton; Linda Catalano; Jalonne L White-Newsome; Kathryn C Conlon; Marie S O'Neill; Sabrina McCormick; Edith A Parker Journal: Glob Environ Change Date: 2013-04 Impact factor: 9.523
Authors: Seulkee Heo; Chen Chen; Honghyok Kim; Benjamin Sabath; Francesca Dominici; Joshua L Warren; Qian Di; Joel Schwartz; Michelle L Bell Journal: Environ Int Date: 2021-07-02 Impact factor: 9.621