General population knowledge about extreme heat: a cross sectional survey in Lisbon and Madrid

Extreme heat is associated with an increased mortality and morbidity. National heat plans have been implemented to minimize the effect of extreme heat. The population’s awareness and knowledge of national heat plans and extreme heat is essential to improve the community’s behavior and adaptation. A general population survey was conducted in Lisbon and in Madrid to assess this knowledge. We used a questionnaire to interview passers-by. Results were compared between Lisbon and Madrid and between locals and foreigners, using Pearson Chi-square tests and Fisher's exact test. We conducted 260 interviews in six locations of different socio-economic backgrounds in each city. The most frequently mentioned extreme heat-related risk groups were the elderly (79.2%), children (49.6%) and babies (21.5%). The most frequently reported protective measures were increased fluid intake (73.1%) and avoiding exposure to the sun (50.8%). Knowledge about the heat plan was higher in Lisbon (37.2%) than in Madrid (25.2%) (p-value = 0.03). Foreigners had less knowledge of risk groups compared to locals. Heat plans were not widely known in Madrid and Lisbon. Nonetheless, knowledge of practical concepts to face extreme heat, such as certain risk groups and protective measures, was found. Our results were similar to comparable surveys where specific respondents’ groups were identified as less knowledgeable. This highlighted the importance of addressing these groups when communicating public health messages on heat. Foreigners should be specifically targeted to increase their awarenessinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Stakeholders’ Perception on National Heatwave Plans and Their Local Implementation in Belgium and The Netherlands

National heatwave plans are aimed at reducing the avoidable human health consequences due to heatwaves, by providing warnings as well as improving communication between relevant stakeholders. The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of key stakeholders within plans in Belgium and The Netherlands on their responsibilities, the partnerships, and the effectiveness of the local implementation in Brussels and Amsterdam. Key informant interviews were held with stakeholders that had an important role in development of the heatwave plan in these countries, or its implementation in Brussels or Amsterdam. Care organisations, including hospitals and elderly care organisations, had a lack of familiarity with the national heatwave plan in both cities, and prioritised heat the lowest. Some groups of individuals, specifically socially isolated individuals, are not sufficiently addressed by the current national heatwave plans and most local plans. Stakeholders reported that responsibilities were not clearly described and that the national plan does not describe tasks on a local level. We recommend to urgently increase awareness on the impact of heat on health among care organisations. More emphasis needs to be given to the variety of heat-risk groups. Stakeholders should be involved in the development of updates of the plans

Hospital admissions in EVRMC and ODH before and after Haiyan

This folder contains two datasets with patient records one week before and three weeks after Typhoon Haiyan in two hospitals in Eastern Visayas, Philippines. The two hospitals are Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center and Ormoc District Hospital

How resilient is the general population to heatwaves? A knowledge survey from the ENHANCE project in Brussels and Amsterdam

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown an increase in mortality and morbidity during heatwaves, especially among the elderly. We assessed the knowledge of the general population of Brussels and Amsterdam on groups at risk and protective measures for heat-related health effects. RESULTS: Six locations with mixed populations were selected in each city. Passer-by's in both cities were asked to participate in a short survey. Respondents in Brussels (n = 120) had significantly more knowledge on risk groups and protective measures than respondents in Amsterdam (n = 133). In both cities, individuals with higher education had better knowledge on risk groups and protective measures than individuals with lower education. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts at heat-awareness raising must be strengthened, especially in Amsterdam, and public health actions should effectively target vulnerable groups with lower education in both cities

Heat plan compilation, SCORCH project

Extreme temperatures, including heat and cold waves, are climatological hazards. Both in the EU as well as in EU-Neighbourhood countries, research has shown that heatwaves cause a rise in morbidity and mortality. Since heatwaves are not restricted to country borders, a cross-border approach is required to ensure collective preparedness and response to mitigate the impacts on communities and limit the financial and health costs. The overall objective of SCORCH is to reduce the impact of heatwaves on vulnerable, urban populations through improved risk communication strategies based on existing EU plans and guidelines. In addition, we will measure risk perception and behaviour in communities in EU-neighbourhood countries through surveys and foster a cross-country culture of prevention and cooperation. To make maximum use of existing knowledge and strategies on heatwaves, the project starts out by collecting existing heatwave plans of EU countries. Based on these plans we aim to identify the necessary building blocks that make up a heatwave plan. Through this overview and a literature review on studies that evaluated existing heatwave plans (deliverable 2.2.), we aim to help find a standard for developing a heatwave plan and apply this to the development of the risk communication strategies in WP4. This report outlines the methodology used for collecting and subsequently analysing existing heatwave plans; and describes the results of this effort

Literature review, SCORCH project

Extreme temperatures, including heat and cold waves, are climatological hazards. Both in the EU as in EU-Neighbourhood countries, research has shown that heatwaves cause a rise in morbidity and mortality. Since heatwaves are not restricted to country borders, a cross-border approach is required to ensure collective preparedness and response to mitigate the impacts on communities and limit the financial and health costs. The overall objective of SCORCH is to reduce the impact of heatwaves on vulnerable, urban populations through improved risk communication strategies based on existing EU plans and guidelines. In addition, we will measure risk perception and behaviour in communities in EU-neighbourhood countries through surveys and foster a cross-country culture of prevention and cooperation. To make maximum use of existing knowledge and strategies on heatwaves, the project started out by collecting existing heatwave plans of EU countries (D2.1). In this report, we go one step further and review literature that analyses heatwave plans of EU countries, Switzerland, Norway or EU candidate countries. The review is aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the heatwave plans, based on a desk study, and addresses two research questions: 1. How effective are the processes described in the national heatwave plans with regard to their implementation and risk management? 2. How effective are the national heatwave plans in changing behaviour and perceptions of the public and in particular vulnerable populations regarding heatwaves? The first research question focuses on the professionals involved in the national plan and the extent to which they succeed in effective implementation. The second research question focuses on the perspective of the populations targeted by the plan, i.e. the general public and vulnerable populations, and the extent to which the plan succeeds in sensitising and mobilising populations and involved stakeholders. The report outlines the methodology used for the systematic literature review, and describes the results of this effort

Use and perception of information sources on COVID-19 measures by citizens of Belgium

Background: The effectiveness of adherence to COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) measures depends on effective risk communication. This study assessed use and perception of COVID-19 information sources and channels in Belgium, and the relationship with adherence to measures. Methods: Data were collected through an online questionnaire among a sample of 2008 respondents, representative for citizens of Belgium in terms of gender, age, socio-economic status, and region. Potential information sources named in the questionnaire were politicians, experts, journalists, and close contacts. Results: Overall, experts contributed most to informing people on COVID-19 measures, and their information was considered clearest and most trustworthy, while politicians scored lowest for information clarity. All information channels were used by large proportions of respondents, namely television 80.2%, (online) newspapers 56.5%, radio 35.7% and social media 27.7%. Factors that contributed significantly to adherence in a multivariate model included use and perception of information from experts, which had a positive association, and relying on social media as an information channel, for which the relationship was negative. Conclusions: It is important to achieve clear and trustworthy risk communication, as this contributes to overall adherence to IPC measures on COVID-19. Furthermore, attention should be given to the fact that for people who rely on social media as an information channel, their adherence can be adversely affected

The Relation between Perceived and Actual Understanding and Adherence: Results from a National Survey on COVID-19 Measures in Belgium

To reduce the spread of COVID-19 among the population, Belgium has implemented various infection prevention and control measures over time. This study investigated the extent to which understanding of the COVID-19 measures contributed to adherence, and which personal characteristics were considered risk factors for lower adherence. It consisted of a large online survey among a sample of the population (n = 2008), representative of citizens of Belgium in terms of gender, age, province and socio-economic status. The survey was conducted in September 2020, and included questions on perceived and actual understanding of COVID-19 protective measures in place during that time, as well as past and future adherence to those measures. The results showed that both perceived and actual understanding contributed significantly to past as well as future adherence. Risk factors for perceived understanding included being male and belonging to a younger age group, while risk factors for actual understanding were speaking French (versus Dutch) and belonging to a lower socio-economic level. Communication about COVID-19 measures should put more focus on trying to improve the understanding of the measures, instead of only making them known, particularly for those who are less health literate and as such at risk of poor understandin