Towards a comprehensive heat-health warning system of Hong Kong

Outdoor workers are particularly exposed to climate conditions, and in particular, the increase of environmental temperature directly affects their health and productivity. For these reasons, in recent years, heat-health warning systems have been developed for workers generally using heat stress indicators obtained by the combination of meteorological parameters to describe the thermal stress induced by the outdoor environment on the human body. There are several studies on the verification of the parameters predicted by meteorological models, but very few relating to the validation of heat stress indicators. This study aims to verify the performance of two limited area models, with different spatial resolution, potentially applicable in the occupational heat health warning system developed within the WORKLIMATE project for the Italian territory. A comparison between the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature predicted by the models and that obtained by data from 28 weather stations was carried out over about three summer seasons in different daily time slots, using the most common skill of performance. The two meteorological models were overall comparable for much of the Italian explored territory, while major limits have emerged in areas with complex topography. This study demonstrated the applicability of limited area models in occupational heat health warning systems.

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Overview of Existing Heat-Health Warning Systems in Europe

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16152657 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (15) ◽

pp. 2657 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

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.

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

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.248 ◽

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.

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An Exploration of Temperature Metrics for Further Developing the Heat-Health Weather Warning System in Hong Kong

ISRN Atmospheric Sciences ◽

10.1155/2013/930238 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Cho Kwong Charlie Lam ◽

Margaret Loughnan ◽

Nigel Tapper

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Temperature Change ◽

Excess Mortality ◽

Extreme Temperature ◽

Warning System ◽

Weather Data ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Critical Thresholds ◽

Daily Weather Data ◽

Heat And Cold Stress

Background. The current weather warning system aims to reduce mortality from heat and cold stress but still has room to be improved in terms of incorporating other temperature metrics. The aim of this study is to determine how extreme temperature affects mortality in Hong Kong. Methods. An ecological study was used; daily weather data were subdivided into seven temperature metrics. Daily detrended mortality data were stratified by disease groups and analysed using seven different metrics for temperature. The temperature metrics were then compared. Results. A diurnal temperature range (DTR) of ≥8°C leading to an increase in median mortality of up to 16% and a mean temperature change between neighbouring days of ≥4°C leading to an increase in median mortality of up to 6% were the critical thresholds for excess mortality in Hong Kong. Conclusions. This study reveals that mean net effective temperature, DTR, and temperature change between neighbouring days are effective to predict excess mortality in Hong Kong.

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Typhoon Mangkhut Case Study: Household and Community Typhoon Preparedness in Hong Kong, a Densely Populated Urban City

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x19001092 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (s1) ◽

pp. s45-s45

Author(s):

Asta YT Man ◽

Emily Ying Yang Chan ◽

Holly CY Lam

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Warning System ◽

Population Based ◽

Air Conditioners ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Urban City ◽

Socio Demographic Factors ◽

The Impact

Introduction:As a subtropical urbanized city in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong is prone to frequent typhoons. With an increasing number of severe typhoons, usual preparedness measures should be explored to assess their adequacy to safeguard health and wellbeing. Typhoon Mangkhut (2018) serves as an example of the successes and limitations of community preparedness for a severe typhoon.Aim:To explore how Hong Kong residents prepared for Typhoon Mangkhut and whether their usual preparedness measures provided enough protection.Methods:A population-based randomized telephone survey of Hong Kong residents (n=521) was conducted soon after Typhoon Mangkhut’s landing. Only residents aged 18 or above and understood Cantonese were included. Socio-demographic factors, types of typhoon and general preparedness, risk perception, and impacts from the typhoon were asked. Descriptive characteristics and univariate analysis were used to describe the patterns and associations.Results:8.6% of respondents felt their home was at high risk of danger during typhoons although 33.4% reported some form of impact from Mangkhut. Over 70% reported doing at least one typhoon specific preparedness measure. Among those who practiced at least one typhoon specific preparedness measure, 37.2% (p=0.002) were affected by the typhoon.Discussion:Despite the high adaptation of preparedness measures, warranted by the frequent typhoons, Hong Kong residents were not adequately prepared for a severe typhoon. While the early warning system and evacuation of flood-prone areas mitigated some of the impact, unexpected effects such as flying air conditioners, roadblocks affecting employment, swaying buildings, and loss of power supply were not accounted for. Future preparedness for natural disasters which will become more extreme due to climate change and needs to account for unforeseen risks.

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Steps Towards Comprehensive Heat Communication in the Frame of a Heat Health Warning System in Slovenia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17165829 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (16) ◽

pp. 5829

Author(s):

Tjaša Pogačar ◽

Zala Žnidaršič ◽

Lučka Kajfež Bogataj ◽

Zalika Črepinšek

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Warning System ◽

Well Being ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Mean Values ◽

Health Warning ◽

Health Measures

Occupational heat stress has an important negative impact on the well-being, health and productivity of workers and should; therefore, be recognized as a public health issue in Europe. There is no comprehensive heat health warning system in Slovenia combining public health measures with meteorological forecasts. The aim of this research was to provide insight into the development of such a system in Slovenia, turning the communication from the current meteoalarm into a broader system that has more information for different social groups. To achieve this goal, the following steps were used: Analysis of summer temperatures and issued meteoalarms, a survey of the general knowledge about heat among the public, organization and management of two stakeholder symposia, and a final survey on workers’ opinions on heat stress and measures, supplemented by interviews with employers. Summer average daily temperature distributions in Slovenia changed during the investigated period (1961–2019) and the mean values increased over time by 2–3 °C. Additionally, the number of days with fulfilled yellow (potentially dangerous) and especially orange (dangerous) meteoalarm conditions increased significantly after 1990. The survey of the general public about heat stress and warnings showed that efforts to raise awareness of heat issues need to be intensified and that public health measures should effectively target vulnerable groups. Stakeholder symposia and further surveys have shown that awareness and understanding of the negative effects of heat stress on health and productivity are still quite low, so effective ways of disseminating information to different sectors while striking the best balance between efficiency, feasibility and economic cost have to be found.

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Evaluating cost benefits from a heat health warning system in Adelaide, South Australia

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1111/1753-6405.13194 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Susan Williams ◽

Monika Nitschke ◽

Berhanu Yazew Wondmagegn ◽

Michael Tong ◽

Jianjun Xiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Australia ◽

Warning System ◽

Health Warning ◽

Cost Benefits

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An Occupational Heat–Health Warning System for Europe: The HEAT-SHIELD Platform

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16162890 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (16) ◽

pp. 2890 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Marco Morabito ◽

Alessandro Messeri ◽

Pascal Noti ◽

Ana Casanueva ◽

Alfonso Crisci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Warning System ◽

Heat Shield ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Daily Maximum ◽

Heat Acclimatization ◽

Maximum Probability ◽

Maximum Heat ◽

Health Warning ◽

The Impact

Existing heat–health warning systems focus on warning vulnerable groups in order to reduce mortality. However, human health and performance are affected at much lower environmental heat strain levels than those directly associated with higher mortality. Moreover, workers are at elevated health risks when exposed to prolonged heat. This study describes the multilingual “HEAT-SHIELD occupational warning system” platform (https://heatshield.zonalab.it/) operating for Europe and developed within the framework of the HEAT-SHIELD project. This system is based on probabilistic medium-range forecasts calibrated on approximately 1800 meteorological stations in Europe and provides the ensemble forecast of the daily maximum heat stress. The platform provides a non-customized output represented by a map showing the weekly maximum probability of exceeding a specific heat stress condition, for each of the four upcoming weeks. Customized output allows the forecast of the personalized local heat-stress-risk based on workers’ physical, clothing and behavioral characteristics and the work environment (outdoors in the sun or shade), also taking into account heat acclimatization. Personal daily heat stress risk levels and behavioral suggestions (hydration and work breaks recommended) to be taken into consideration in the short term (5 days) are provided together with long-term heat risk forecasts (up to 46 days), all which are useful for planning work activities. The HEAT-SHIELD platform provides adaptation strategies for “managing” the impact of global warming.

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