@article{ref1,
title="Prevention and management of health hazards related to heatwaves",
journal="International journal of circumpolar health",
year="2009",
author="Matthies, Franziska and Menne, Bettina",
volume="68",
number="1",
pages="8-22",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: The general aim of the EuroHEAT project was to improve public health responses to weather extremes and, in particular, to heatwaves. STUDY DESIGN: The public health responses were developed on the basis of the overall results from the two-year project, &quot;Improving Public Health Responses to Extreme Weather--EuroHEAT,&quot; co-funded by the European Commission (DG Sanco). METHODS: A literature review was carried out and a questionnaire was administered to health officials in charge of heat-health action plans in 2005 to survey existing heat-health action plans in Europe, and to identify models of the good practices for national/local preparedness planning. RESULTS: The adverse health effects of heatwaves are largely preventable. Prevention requires a range 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. Guidance for the development of heat-health action plans has been made available through EuroHEAT and is being used in various countries in the European Region. CONCLUSIONS: EuroHEAT recommends developing and implementing heat-health action plans at the national and regional levels in Europe to prevent, react upon and contain heat-related risks to health.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1239-9736",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}