Heat health watch Heat health watch warning system and warning system and communication in communication in

HungaryHungary

Krisztina KishontiKrisztina Kishonti, A. Páldy,

J. Bobvos

National Institute of Environmental Health

National Public Health and Medical Officer’s Service

-3-year project (2003-2005)

- In Hungary: „József Fodor” National Centre for Public Health, National Institute of Environmental Health (NIEHNIEH), NPHMOSNPHMOS and the National Meteorological Service (NMSNMS)

- Aim of the Project is to assess the associationassess the association between weather and acute health effects (Daily mortality and hospital admission) during warm season in Europe and to provide informationprovide information for public health policy on preventive and adaptive actions.

PHEWE PHEWE (EU/QLKA-CT-2001-00152 Sz)

Preparation of the meteorological data

Analyse of the mortality data

Analyse of the hospital

admission dataDisturbing effects

of the air pollutants

Heat warning system (London, Paris,

Roma, Barcelona,BudapestBudapest)

Application in public health

HeatHeat--wave communication on abroadwave communication on abroadUSAUSA

- Weather-health forecast system in the big cities- Hot Weather Response Plan in Toronto, Canada - “How to beat the heat”

Uses likelihood method

Emergency >90%Alert >65%

HeatHeat--wave communication on abroadwave communication on abroadRome, ItalyRome, Italy

-“Heat health watchHeat health watch warning systemwarning system” based on an Italian system, since 2002- In eight Italian towns

CommunicationCommunication- Alert publications for the local governments and health authorities- Advice for the public and people with special diseases-Telephone assistance service for 24 hours a day

- Regular check in calls; home delivery of food and medicine, other services

FutureFuture -Improve technical capacity of HHWWSHHWWS-Strengthen prevention programs

HeatHeat--wave communication on abroadwave communication on abroadFranceFrance

Heat wave planHeat wave plan

- define the vulnerable groups and local governments who responsible for them

- regular information for the public by Météo France

- set up alert level based on the evaluation of the temperature (measured in the last 30 years), morbidity data then assess the most vulnerable groups.

- high co-operation between the competent institutes

FranceFrance

Emergency – four levelsEmergency – four levels

- Alertness – check the accessibility of the vulnerable groups, Informative advice

- Alarm – local governments lead their crisis plan

- Intervention - local governments interfer and operate telephone assistance for 24 hours a day

- Implementation – intervention of media, army, ambulance in case of threatening the public.

HeatHeat--wave communication on abroadwave communication on abroad

HeatHeat--wave communication wave communication in Hungaryin Hungary

University in BerminghamPHEWE website – warning system by email

National Institute of Environmental

Health

National Meteorological

Service in Hungary

NPHMOS in Budapest, Hungary

Decision - WarningDecision - Warning

NIEH, National Centre for Public Health, Communication Department

Havaria PressMeasurement based on 179/1999 (XI.10), NCPH

HeatHeat--wave communication wave communication in Hungaryin HungaryHeat health watch warning system

Three levels

Attention (1. level) for internal use: temperature is 25 Celsius degree or more daily

Readiness (2. level) for the public: temperature is 25 Celsius degree or more after three consecutive days and 27 Celsius degree for one day, at least.

Alarm (3. level): temperature is 27 Celsius degree after 3 consecutive days=> equal to the 179/1999 (XI.10) EXTREME WEATHER CONDITION

HeatHeat--wave communication wave communication in Hungaryin HungaryLeaflets, postersposters for local authorities, GP’s, pharmacies, public schools

Young – sun cream, liquid and white-coloured clothes during sport activities

Elder – drink 2 litres a day special attention who takes diuretics medicine, be cool places

Mother and small children – drink 2 litres a days, sun cream, don’t walk children in heat

HeatHeat--wave communication inwave communication in Hungary HungaryNETWORKNETWORK which

1., informinform the local authorities to take care of the patientstake care of the patients having increased social risk

2., warn GP’s to pay more attention to vulnerable groupspay more attention to vulnerable groups

3., hold informative presentationsinformative presentations about heat stress taking into consideration teachersteachers

4., keep media interested by keep media interested by informative articles on heat wave articles on heat wave for the daily, monthly newspapersnewspapers read most frequent

5., start campaign at the beginning of the season each year

6., Free green lineFree green line in Budapest and in the counties

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!