Progress in extreme heat management and warning systems: A systematic review of heat-health action plans (1995-2020)

2021 ◽  
pp. 103487
Author(s):  
Rajashree Kotharkar ◽  
Aveek Ghosh
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Heat Management ◽  
Health Action

scholarly journals Overview of Existing Heat-Health Warning Systems in Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (15) ◽  
pp. 2657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Casanueva ◽  
Annkatrin Burgstall ◽  
Sven Kotlarski ◽  
Alessandro Messeri ◽  
Marco Morabito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Web Search ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Health Warning ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
The Impact

The frequency of extreme heat events, such as the summer of 2003 in Europe, and their corresponding consequences for human beings are expected to increase under a warmer climate. The joint collaboration of institutional agencies and multidisciplinary approaches is essential for a successful development of heat-health warning systems and action plans which can reduce the impacts of extreme heat on the population. The present work constitutes a state-of-the-art review of 16 European heat-health warning systems and heat-health action plans, based on the existing literature, web search (over the National Meteorological Services websites) and questionnaires. The aim of this study is to pave the way for future heat-health warning systems, such as the one currently under development in the framework of the Horizon 2020 HEAT-SHIELD project. Some aspects are highlighted among the variety of examined European warning systems. The meteorological variables that trigger the warnings should present a clear link with the impact under consideration and should be chosen depending on the purpose and target of the warnings. Setting long-term planning actions as well as pre-alert levels might prevent and reduce damages due to heat. Finally, education and communication are key elements of the success of a warning system.

scholarly journals Heat Perception and Coping Strategies: A Structured Interview-Based Study of Elderly People in Cologne, Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7495
Author(s):  
Juliane Kemen ◽  
Silvia Schäffer-Gemein ◽  
Johanna Grünewald ◽  
Thomas Kistemann
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Heat Strain ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Health Action ◽  
Heat Perception ◽  
And Coping

The transdisciplinary project “Heat-Health Action Plan for Elderly People in Cologne” addresses the most heat-vulnerable risk group, people over 65 years of age. A quantitative study aimed to better understand heat perception and coping strategies of elderly people during heat waves to inform heat-health action plans. We conducted a representative quantitative survey via structured interviews with 258 randomly chosen people over 65 years old, living in their own homes in four areas of Cologne, Germany. These areas varied, both in terms of social status and heat strain. Data regarding demographics, health status, coping strategies, and heat perception were collected in personal interviews from August to October 2019. The majority of the participants perceived heat strain as moderate to very challenging. Women, people with a lower monthly income, and those with a lower health status found the heat more challenging. We found that participants adapted to heat with a number of body-related, home-protective, and activity-related coping strategies. The number of coping strategies was associated with perceived personal heat strain. There is a definite underuse of water-related heat adaption strategies among the elderly. This is of increasing relevance, as rising heat impact will lead to more heat-related geriatric morbidity. Our results are seminal to inform elderly-specific, socio-adapted local heat-health action plans.

scholarly journals Beyond Threshold Approaches to Extreme Heat: Repositioning Adaptation as Everyday Practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 885-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elspeth Oppermann ◽  
Yolande Strengers ◽  
Cecily Maller ◽  
Lauren Rickards ◽  
Matt Brearley
Keyword(s):  
Social Practice ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Extreme Conditions ◽  
Work Intensity ◽  
Heat Management ◽  
Everyday Practices ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Climatic Impacts ◽  
External Risk

Abstract One of climate change’s most certain impacts is increasingly frequent and extreme heat. Heat management and climate adaptation policies generally utilize temperature and humidity thresholds to identify what constitute “extreme” conditions. In the workplace, such thresholds can be used to trigger reductions in work intensity and/or duration. In regions that routinely exceed proposed thresholds, however, this approach can be deeply problematic and raises critical questions about how frequently exposed populations already manage and mitigate the effects of extreme heat. Drawing on social practice theories, this paper repositions everyday engagements with extreme heat in terms of practices of work. It finds that bodies absorb and produce heat through practices, challenging the view that extreme heat is an “external” risk to which bodies are “exposed”. This theoretical starting point also challenges the utility of threshold-based adaptation strategies by demonstrating how heat is actively coproduced by living, performing bodies in weather. This argument is exemplified through a case study of outdoor, manual workers in Australia’s monsoon tropics, where work practices were adapted to reduce thermal load. More specifically, we find that workers “weather” work and “work” the weather to enable work to be done in extreme conditions. Our analysis of everyday heat adaptation draws attention to the generative capacities of bodies and unsettles two established separations: 1) that between climatic exposure and sensitivity, calling for a more embodied, experiential, and performed perspective and 2) that between climatic impacts and (mal)adaptation, calling for an understanding of climate adaptation, as located in everyday practices, in the management of bodies in weather.

scholarly journals Climate change adaptation to extreme heat: A global systematic review of implemented action

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynée L Turek-Hankins ◽  
Erin Coughlan de Perez ◽  
Giulia Scarpa ◽  
Raquel Ruiz-Diaz ◽  
Patricia Nayna Shwerdtle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
National Income ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Heat Adaptation ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
Hydrological Hazards

Abstract Extreme heat events impact people and ecosystems across the globe, and they are becoming more frequent and intense in a warming climate. Responses to heat span sectors and geographic boundaries. Prior research has documented technologies or options that can be deployed to manage extreme heat and examples of how individuals, communities, governments, and other stakeholder groups are adapting to heat. However, a comprehensive understanding of the current state of implemented heat adaptations—where, why, how, and to what extent they are occurring—has not been established. Here, we combine data from the Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative with a heat-specific systematic review to analyze the global extent and diversity of documented heat adaptation actions (n = 301 peer-reviewed articles). Data from 98 countries suggest that documented heat adaptations fundamentally differ by geographic region and national income. In high-income, developed countries, heat is overwhelmingly treated as a health issue, particularly in urban areas. However, in low and middle income, developing countries, heat adaptations focus on agricultural and livelihood-based impacts, primarily considering heat as a compound hazard with drought and other hydrological hazards. 63% of the heat-adaptation articles feature individuals or communities autonomously adapting, highlighting how responses to date have largely consisted of coping strategies. The current global status of responses to intensifying extreme heat, largely autonomous and incremental yet widespread, establishes a foundation for informed decision making as heat impacts around the world continue to increase.

scholarly journals Assessing the use and understanding of the Portuguese Heat–Health Warning System (ÍCARO)

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Leite ◽  
A J Santos ◽  
S Silva ◽  
B Nunes ◽  
R Mexia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Level ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Warning ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Level Information ◽  
Health Action ◽  
Mortality Forecasts ◽  
Related Mortality

Abstract Background Heatwaves can lead to increased mortality. Portugal has a Heat-Health Warning System (HHWS) in place (ÍCARO system). Researchers at the Instituto Ricardo Jorge send a daily report with heat-related mortality forecasts to key stakeholders (e.g. Heat-Health Action Plans (HHAP) staff). HHAP practitioners issue warnings and implement measures to prevent heatwaves-related mortality. ICARO is amongst the recommended data sources to assess risk and issue warnings but its use and understanding is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to assess ÍCARO’s use and understanding by key HHAP practitioners. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with national and regional HHAP practitioners. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic content analysis. Intercoder reliability was applied to a sample of segments from 5 of 6 interviews. Results We conducted 6 interviews with 9 professionals (mean time 52 minutes). We identified 4 categories: Report’s content and presentation, Report’s reception and communication, ÍCARO and risk assessment, Other issues. Practitioners use ÍCARO and perceived it as very relevant tool. However, they mentioned several questions on its interpretation. Practitioners also felt their questions were not fully answered, given researchers’ use of statistical terms. Finally, practitioners referred the need to assess risk at the local level, information not currently provided. We also identified the need for improved communication and report’s clarity. Conclusions Our study stresses the need for an integrated collaboration between experts within HHWS and HHAP. Despite ICARO’s understanding being challenging, practitioners consider it a relevant tool. Researchers should use less statistical language and clarify ÍCARO interpretation. Practitioners’ needs should be considered when developing or revising tools. We are currently implementing some of these recommendations in an attempt to close the gap between researchers and practitioners. Key messages Portuguese Heat–Health Action Plans practitioners use heat-related mortality forecasts (ICARO) and perceived it as very relevant instrument. However there find ICARO’s interpretation challenging. Portuguese Heat/Health Action Plans Practitioners’ needs should be considered when revising or developing tools, and notes should be added to clarify statistical/technical concepts.

scholarly journals Associations between Green Building Design Strategies and Community Health Resilience to Extreme Heat Events: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adele Houghton ◽  
Carlos Castillo-Salgado
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Flow Diagram ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Green Building Design ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
Heat Events

This project examined evidence linking green building design strategies with the potential to enhance community resilience to extreme heat events. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method for a systematic review, it assessed the strength of the evidence supporting the potential for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) credit requirements to reduce the adverse effects of extreme heat events and/or enhance a building’s passive survivability (i.e., the ability to continue to function during utility outages) during those events. The PRISMA Flow Diagram resulted in the selection of 12 LEED for New Construction (LEED NC) credits for inclusion in the review. Following a preliminary scan of evidence supporting public health co-benefits of the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system, queries were submitted in PubMed using National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings Terms. Queries identified links between LEED credit requirements and risk of exposure to extreme heat, environmental determinants of health, co-benefits to public health outcomes, and co-benefits to built environment outcomes. Public health co-benefits included reducing the risk of vulnerability to heat stress and reducing heat-related morbidity and mortality. The results lay the groundwork for collaboration across the public health, civil society, climate change, and green building sectors.

scholarly journals Computer Vision and IoT-Based Sensors in Flood Monitoring and Mapping: A Systematic Review

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (22) ◽  
pp. 5012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilal Arshad ◽  
Robert Ogie ◽  
Johan Barthelemy ◽  
Biswajeet Pradhan ◽  
Nicolas Verstaevel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Computer Vision ◽  
Coastal Lagoons ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Flood Monitoring ◽  
Computer Vision Applications

Floods are amongst the most common and devastating of all natural hazards. The alarming number of flood-related deaths and financial losses suffered annually across the world call for improved response to flood risks. Interestingly, the last decade has presented great opportunities with a series of scholarly activities exploring how camera images and wireless sensor data from Internet-of-Things (IoT) networks can improve flood management. This paper presents a systematic review of the literature regarding IoT-based sensors and computer vision applications in flood monitoring and mapping. The paper contributes by highlighting the main computer vision techniques and IoT sensor approaches utilised in the literature for real-time flood monitoring, flood modelling, mapping and early warning systems including the estimation of water level. The paper further contributes by providing recommendations for future research. In particular, the study recommends ways in which computer vision and IoT sensor techniques can be harnessed to better monitor and manage coastal lagoons—an aspect that is under-explored in the literature.

The effect of adult Early Warning Systems education on nurses’ knowledge, confidence and clinical performance: A systematic review

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 2506-2521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad M. Saab ◽  
Bridie McCarthy ◽  
Tom Andrews ◽  
Eileen Savage ◽  
Frances J. Drummond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Nurses Knowledge

Health action plans for people with learning disabilities

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (43) ◽  
pp. 51-57
Author(s):  
John Howatson
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Health Action
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