Effective prevention in a city requires a portfolio of actions at different levels: from health system preparedness coordinated with meteorological early warning systems to timely public and medical advice and improvements to housing and urban planning.
These actions can be integrated in a defined Heat Health Action Plan. There are several principles that should be used in planning for and responding to heatwaves.
This Masterclass is an introduction to heat health action planning, based on principles and guidance developed by the World Health Organization and from case studies of actual plans.
Learning Objectives
- To understand the different components of Heat Health Action Plans
- To understand how national meteorological and hydrological services and health sector can work together.
- To describe how longer term strategies can be incorporated in to heat health action planning
- To understand the importance of including evaluation of heat interventions.
- To provide examples of established Heat Health Action Plans for tropical and temperate climates.
Further Resources
- Heatwave Plan for England
- Ahmedebad Heat Action Plan
- Heat Alert and Response Systems to Protect Health: Best Practices Guidebook
Health Canada - Cities Adapt to Extreme Heat: Celebrating Local Leadership
Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, Health Canada - Heatwaves and Health: Guidance on Warning-System Development
WMO, WHO - Heat-health action plans
WHO
Lessons
Lesson 1: Heat Health Action Plan Components
Lesson 2: Case Study - Developing Heat Health Action Plans in Canada
Lesson 3: Case Study - Developing Heat Health Action Plans in India
