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Bernhardt JM, Amiri A. Application of the socioecological model to mitigate risks of heat illness. Nurs Outlook 2024; 72:102150. [PMID: 38442464 DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The socio-ecological model (SEM) is a widely used framework that can be applied to heat-related illness (HRI) in the context of multiple influencing factors that exist in society. Leaders and policymakers must intervene to mitigate the deleterious effects of climate change on those at risk. PURPOSE The purpose is to introduce the SEM as a framework to address the complex factors contributing to the impact of excess heat. METHODS Conceived through the SEM, the compounding and cumulative impact of excess heat resulting in HRI is operationalized. DISCUSSION The SEM provides a structure for understanding the complex nature of climate change and HRI and proposed interventions. The prevention of HRI is dependent on actions, related to practice, education, research, and advocacy across multiple levels of the SEM. The SEM has the potential to target HRI at all levels of society to reduce the harm of excess heat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean M Bernhardt
- School of Nursing, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Charlestown, MA.
| | - Azita Amiri
- College of Nursing, The University of Alabama Huntsville, Huntsville, AL
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Murage P, Hajat S, Macintyre HL, Leonardi GS, Ratwatte P, Wehling H, Petrou G, Higlett M, Hands A, Kovats S. Indicators to support local public health to reduce the impacts of heat on health. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108391. [PMID: 38118211 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Heat exposure presents a significant weather-related health risk in England and Wales, and is associated with acute impacts on mortality and adverse effects on a range of clinical conditions, as well as increased healthcare costs. Most heat-related health outcomes are preventable with health protection measures such as behavioural changes, individual cooling actions, and strategies implemented at the landscape level or related to improved urban infrastructure. We review current limitations in reporting systems and propose ten indicators to monitor changes in heat exposures, vulnerabilities, heat-health outcomes, and progress on adaptation actions. These indicators can primarily inform local area decision-making in managing risks across multiple sectors such as public health, adult and social care, housing, urban planning, and education. The indicators can be used alongside information on other vulnerabilities relevant for heat and health such as underlying morbidity or housing characteristics, to prioritise the most effective adaptation actions for those who need it the most.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peninah Murage
- HPRU in Environmental Change and Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
| | - Shakoor Hajat
- HPRU in Environmental Change and Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Giorgos Petrou
- Institute of Environmental Design and Engineering, University College London (UCL), United Kingdom
| | | | - Angela Hands
- Office of Health Improvement and Disparities, United Kingdom
| | - Sari Kovats
- HPRU in Environmental Change and Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
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White RH, Anderson S, Booth JF, Braich G, Draeger C, Fei C, Harley CDG, Henderson SB, Jakob M, Lau CA, Mareshet Admasu L, Narinesingh V, Rodell C, Roocroft E, Weinberger KR, West G. The unprecedented Pacific Northwest heatwave of June 2021. Nat Commun 2023; 14:727. [PMID: 36759624 PMCID: PMC9910268 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36289-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In late June 2021 a heatwave of unprecedented magnitude impacted the Pacific Northwest region of Canada and the United States. Many locations broke all-time maximum temperature records by more than 5 °C, and the Canadian national temperature record was broken by 4.6 °C, with a new record temperature of 49.6 °C. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary of this event and its impacts. Upstream diabatic heating played a key role in the magnitude of this anomaly. Weather forecasts provided advanced notice of the event, while sub-seasonal forecasts showed an increased likelihood of a heat extreme with lead times of 10-20 days. The impacts of this event were catastrophic, including hundreds of attributable deaths across the Pacific Northwest, mass-mortalities of marine life, reduced crop and fruit yields, river flooding from rapid snow and glacier melt, and a substantial increase in wildfires-the latter contributing to landslides in the months following. These impacts provide examples we can learn from and a vivid depiction of how climate change can be so devastating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H. White
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Sam Anderson
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - James F. Booth
- grid.254250.40000 0001 2264 7145Earth and Atmospheric Science, City College of New York, New York, NY US ,grid.212340.60000000122985718The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY US
| | - Ginni Braich
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Christina Draeger
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Cuiyi Fei
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Christopher D. G. Harley
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Sarah B. Henderson
- grid.418246.d0000 0001 0352 641XEnvironmental Health Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Matthias Jakob
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada ,BCG Engineering Inc, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | | | - Lualawi Mareshet Admasu
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Veeshan Narinesingh
- grid.16750.350000 0001 2097 5006NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Program in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ US
| | - Christopher Rodell
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Eliott Roocroft
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Kate R. Weinberger
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Greg West
- grid.450417.30000 0004 0406 583XBC Hydro, Vancouver, BC Canada
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