The Heat Is On!
Tracey Oakman
Director Public Health Unit
02 6080 8900
 Overview - possible effects of climate change on health
sector
 Specifically - effect of Heat waves
Health impacts - extreme events
 floods
 fire
 heat stress
 drought
Health impact - gradual climatic change
 Water borne
 Infrastructure
 Water supply
 Social impacts
 Vector borne
 Mental health
 Food production
 Life style/behavioural
 Air quality
 Biodiversity
How does the body cope with
heat?
 Normal body temperature is within 36.1 – 37.8ºC
 Cooling mechanisms of the body:
– Conduction (direct contact with cool object)
– Convection (through water or air
circulating across skin)
– Radiation (via infrared rays)
– Evaporation of sweat
 When air temperature > skin temperature → sweating
is the only way for the body to cool itself down
Who is at risk when the weather is hot?
 > age of 75
 Babies and young children
 Socially isolated, living alone or homeless, not mobile
 Chronic diseases (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, high blood
pressure, kidney disease, mental illness, dementia)
 Acute illness (infection with fever, gastroenteritis)
 Certain medications
 Working in hot environments
 Exercising vigorously in hot weather
 Obese people
 heatwaves kill more people than any other natural
hazard experienced in Australia.
Climate change mitigation:
co-benefits for health
Co-benefit: benefit arising from an action undertaken for
a different principal purpose
 Increased levels of physical activity
– Overweight/obesity, many chronic diseases
 Healthier diet
– Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer
 Adaptation: process of adapting to the adverse effects of
climate change (e.g. being prepared for heat waves; better
insulation of houses)
Preparing for a heat wave
Personal:
 See your doctor: medical conditions, medications, fluid
restriction
 Know who to call
 Check weather forecast regularly
House/apartment:
 Check fridge, freezer, fan, air-conditioners
 Stock up on food, medicines, water, cool packs
 Emergency kit for power failure
 Curtains with pale linings, external blinds/shutters/shading
 Insulation
 Cool room (east or south facing)
How to reduce health impacts from heat
waves
 Short-term:
– Warning system for heat waves
– Community education on health risks
– Training and education of health professionals
– Care for vulnerable population groups
– Respond to the ‘heat wave emergency’ (multi-agency
approach)
 Long-term:
– Adaptation in form of improved urban design
– Monitoring and evaluation
Remember the 4 key messages to keep
you and others healthy in the heat:
www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/beattheheat/
This urine colour chart will give you an idea of whether you are drinking enough water. Hydrated means you are drinking enough
and dehydrated means your body has lost water and you need to drink more to make up for the loss.