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Heat's Deadly Effects

Heat's Deadly Effects. Pre-Quiz. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, what was the deadliest type of extreme weather event to strike the US? Tornadoes Floods Heat. Question #1. The urban heat island phenomenon causes warmer temperatures in cities during both the daytime and the nighttime. True

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Heat's Deadly Effects

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  1. Heat's Deadly Effects

  2. Pre-Quiz

  3. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, what was the deadliest type of extreme weather event to strike the US? • Tornadoes • Floods • Heat Question #1

  4. The urban heat island phenomenon causes warmer temperatures in cities during both the daytime and the nighttime. • True • False Question #2

  5. The European heat wave in 2003 caused how many deaths? 700 7,000 70,000 700,000 Question #3

  6. According to the IPCC, heat waves are expected to increase in Frequency Magnitude Duration All of the above Question #4

  7. Describe 3 consequences of heat stroke. Question #5

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

  9. Heat's Deadly Effects

  10. 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. 2012 IPCC SPECIAL REPORT

  11. IpccpROJECTIONS

  12. Jami Dwyer, Wikimedia Commons

  13. ArvindBalaraman, freedigitalphotos.net IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH

  14. 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.

  15. Heat Exhaustion • Symptoms • Intense Thirst • Heavy sweating • Weak, pale • Headache • Nausea/vomiting • Dizziness/fainting • Fatigue • Core temp normal or slightly elevated • Skin moist/cool

  16. 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 Heat Stroke

  17. 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. Extreme heat can lead to DEATH

  18. 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. Heat, Air Pollution, Respiratory Issues

  19. Respiratory Issues: Ozone Healthy Airway Inflamed Airway

  20. 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. Cardiovascular issues

  21. 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 Case Study: 2003 European Heat Wave

  22. 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

  23. A. Davey, Flickr USDA, Wikimedia Commons Heat’s Indirect Impacts on health

  24. Prolonged higher average temperatures can increase transmission of vector-borne diseases Vector-Borne Diseases

  25. Rising temperatures increase global evaporation rates. • Increasing sea temperatures increase hurricane intensity and duration • More intense hurricanes, flooding, and storms. Precipitation Events

  26. Warmer temperatures: • reduce overall crop yields; • decrease rates of photosynthesis, reduce soil moisture; • Increase water demand and survival of plant pests, diseases and weeds Impacts on agriculture

  27. 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

  28. 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. HEAT AFFECTS Mental Health

  29. 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 Vulnerable Populations:

  30. 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 Heat Wave Adaptation Strategies Physicians for Social Responsibility

  31. 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 Heat wave adaptation strategies: Anticipatory guidance for patients:

  32. 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 Preventing climate change: Alternative Energy Generation: Photos: HCWH, Practice Greenhealth

  33. 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) Clinicians Can Play a Key Role Combating Climate Change

  34. Post-Quiz

  35. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, what was the deadliest type of extreme weather event to strike the US? • Tornadoes • Floods • Heat Question #1

  36. The urban heat island phenomenon causes warmer temperatures in cities during both the daytime and the nighttime. • True • False Question #2

  37. The European heat wave in 2003 caused how many deaths? 700 7,000 70,000 700,000 Question #3

  38. According to the IPCC, heat waves are expected to increase in Frequency Magnitude Duration All of the above Question #4

  39. Describe 3 consequences of heat stroke. Core body temperature of 105°F+ Hot, dry skin Delirium Convulsions Coma Possible death Question #5

  40. When 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 Question #6

  41. Join Together for Change www.PSR.org 202-667-4260

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