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Heat-Related Illness in Older North Carolinians
Sara Smith, CHESLauren Thie, MSPH
October 2, 2015 Triad Aging Conference
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Survey
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Heat: Present & Future Danger
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Heat-related Illness Survey
• Cleveland, McDowell, Rutherford Counties• 10 organizations, 113 respondents• Mostly female, 73 year old average• Most reported central air or window unit• 53% unaware of fan give-away program• 31% did not have friends or family to stay with
if their home is too hot
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Heat & Air Quality
• Poor air quality days are high heat days• Combined exposure more dangerous,
especially to older citizens• Similar prevention messages
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Heat Illness Surveillance
• May – September, 6 years of data• Weekly e-mails, web updates• Heatwave notification• Partnership opportunities• Want to join weekly list? l
[email protected]• http://publichealth.nc.gov/chronicdiseaseandi
njury/heat.htm• @NCPublicHealth @LThieNC
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Prevention Messages
• Increase fluid intake• Spend some time in cool or air-conditioned
environment• Reduce normal activity levels, move outside 11
am – 4 pm if possible• If you take medicine that impedes heat loss,
speak with your physician (high blood pressure, migraine, allergy, muscle spasm, mental illness, tranquilizers)
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Resources
• Operation Fan Heat Relief– Fans– Air conditioning units
• DSS Power Bill Support?
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Heat Health Vulnerability Tool (HHVT)• Developed by Southeast Regional Climate Center
(SERCC)– Joint project between SERCC, Carolinas Integrated Sciences
Assessment (CISA), BRACE grant and N.C. State Climate Office
• Used to investigate heat stress vulnerability and assess methods to improve warning systems in N.C.
• Has the capability to predict emergency department visits by county using temperature– Useful in providing specific data such as age,
socioeconomic statues, and geographic location• www.sercc.com/hhvt
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Questions?
[email protected]@dhhs.nc.gov
919-707-5900@LThieNC
http://publichealth.nc.gov/chronicdiseaseandinjury/heat.htm