France’s heat health watch warning system

Abstract

In 2003, a Heat Health Watch Warning System was developed in France to anticipate heat waves that may result in a large excess of mortality. The system was developed on the basis of a retrospective analysis of mortality and meteorological data in fourteen pilot cities. Several meteorological indicators were tested in relation to levels of excess mortality. Computations of sensibility and specificity were used to choose the meteorological indicators and the cut-offs. An indicator that mixes minimum and maximum temperatures was chosen. The cut-offs were set in order to anticipate events resulting in an excess mortality above 100% in the smallest cities and above 50% in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Lille. The system was extended nationwide using the 98th percentile of the distribution of minimum and maximum temperatures. A national action plan was set up, using this watch warning system. It was activated on 1st June 2004 on a national scale. The system implies a close cooperation between the French Weather Bureau (Météo France), the National Institute of Health Surveillance (InVS) and the Ministry of Health. The system is supported by a panel of preventive actions, to prevent the sanitary impact of heat waves.

The effects of the 1996–2012 summer heat events on human mortality in Slovakia

“…In the European context, research in this area may be particularly important in transition countries (such as Slovakia), which have still not reached the level of actions as in some of the most developed countries, where successful efforts to minimize the negative effects of heat (and weather in general) on their populations have already been made (e.g. Pascal et al, 2006;Fouillet et al, 2008;Lowe et al, 2011;Bittner et al, 2013). These results could therefore be particularly useful for future public health interventions, the implementation of which is below an adequate level in Slovakia.…”

Recent trends in Tuscany (Italy) summer temperature and indices of extremes

“…Persistence of hot days was investigated as many studies highlighted how this factor represents an additional risk. It is important to note that heat waves are often defined according to their length (Colacino and Conte, 1995;Huynen et al, 2001;Robinson, 2001;Pascal et al, 2006).…”

Health and climate change: policy responses to protect public health

“…111 They include forecasting, predicting possible health outcomes, triggering effective and timely response plans, targeting vulnerable populations, and communicating prevention responses. Public health authorities need to upgrade existing emergency programmes and conduct exercises to enhance preparedness for anticipated health risks due to new extreme events such as sea level rise, saline water intrusion into drinking water courses, and severe flooding from storm surges.…”

“…The 2003 European heatwave, which killed up to 70 000 people led France to introduce a heatwave warning system and a national action plan. 111 Health worker training was modified, urban planning altered, and new public health infrastructure developed. The 2006 heatwave suggested that these measures had been effective, with 4400 fewer anticipated deaths.…”

“…112 Adaptation options within health care include training of health-care workers and integrated heatwave early warning systems (HEWS), especially for the most vulnerable populations. 111,113 Adaptation measures also include increasing green infrastructures and urban green spaces, improving the design of social care facilities, schools, other public spaces, and public transport to be more climate-responsive. 113,114 This also entails mitigating effort to reduce air pollutants, which in turn reduces air quality related morbidity and mortality.…”