Download Heat`s Deadly Effects - Physicians for Social Responsibility

HEAT'S DEADLY EFFECTS
PRE-QUIZ
QUESTION #1
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, what was the deadliest
type of extreme weather event to strike the US?
a) Tornadoes
b) Floods
c) Heat
QUESTION #2
The urban heat island phenomenon causes
warmer temperatures in cities during both the
daytime and the nighttime.
a. True
b. False
QUESTION #3
The European heat wave in 2003 caused how
many deaths?
a) 700
b) 7,000
c) 70,000
d) 700,000
QUESTION #4
According to the IPCC, heat waves are expected
to increase in
a. Frequency
b. Magnitude
c. Duration
d. All of the above
QUESTION #5
Describe 3 consequences of heat stroke.
QUESTION #6

When high heat threatens, what anticipatory
guidance can health practitioners give to
patients and their families to help them stay
safe? Give three examples.
HEAT'S DEADLY EFFECTS
2012 IPCC SPECIAL REPORT

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.
IPCC PROJECTIONS
Jami Dwyer, Wikimedia Commons
Arvind Balaraman, freedigitalphotos.net
IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH
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.
HEAT EXHAUSTION

Symptoms









Intense Thirst
Heavy sweating
Weak, pale
Headache
Nausea/vomiting
Dizziness/fainting
Fatigue
Core temp normal or slightly
elevated
Skin moist/cool
HEAT STROKE







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
EXTREME HEAT CAN LEAD TO DEATH


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.
HEAT, AIR POLLUTION, RESPIRATORY ISSUES


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.
RESPIRATORY ISSUES: OZONE
Healthy Airway
Inflamed Airway
CARDIOVASCULAR ISSUES
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.

CASE STUDY: 2003 EUROPEAN HEAT WAVE

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
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
A. Davey, Flickr
USDA, Wikimedia Commons
HEAT’S INDIRECT IMPACTS ON HEALTH
VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES
•
Prolonged
higher average
temperatures
can increase
transmission of
vector-borne
diseases
PRECIPITATION EVENTS
•
•
•
Rising temperatures
increase global evaporation
rates.
Increasing sea
temperatures increase
hurricane intensity and
duration
More intense hurricanes,
flooding, and storms.
IMPACTS ON AGRICULTURE
Warmer temperatures:
 reduce overall crop yields;
 decrease rates of
photosynthesis, reduce
soil moisture;
 Increase water demand
and survival of plant
pests, diseases and
weeds
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
HEAT AFFECTS MENTAL HEALTH
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.

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS:

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

ADAPTATION STRATEGIES





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
Physicians for Social Responsibility
Work with local governments
31
HEAT WAVE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES:
Anticipatory guidance for patients:









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
PREVENTING CLIMATE CHANGE:
Alternative Energy Generation:

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
Photos: HCWH, Practice Greenhealth
33
CLINICIANS CAN PLAY A KEY ROLE COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE



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)
34
POST-QUIZ
QUESTION #1
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, what was the deadliest
type of extreme weather event to strike the US?
a) Tornadoes
b) Floods
c) Heat
QUESTION #2
The urban heat island phenomenon causes
warmer temperatures in cities during both the
daytime and the nighttime.
a. True
b. False
QUESTION #3
The European heat wave in 2003 caused how
many deaths?
a) 700
b) 7,000
c) 70,000
d) 700,000
QUESTION #4
According to the IPCC, heat waves are expected
to increase in
a. Frequency
b. Magnitude
c. Duration
d. All of the above
QUESTION #5
Describe 3 consequences of heat stroke.
1) Core body temperature of 105°F+
2) Hot, dry skin
3) Delirium
4) Convulsions
5) Coma
6) Possible death
QUESTION #6
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
JOIN TOGETHER FOR CHANGE
www.PSR.org
202-667-4260