Heat health action plans: a European perspective

Abstract

Abstract Background With average temperatures on the rise, collaboration of European countries regarding climate change adaptation and climate resilience of their health systems is becoming an important lever for protecting older people, while recognising the diversity of older people's living environments, socio-economic conditions, as well as intersectionalities with gender and race within different subgroups of older people. Heat-health action plans (HHAPs) are one example where a common European framework (e.g. within the WHO-European region) may guide general measures, yet without being able to account for context-specific, geographic and population-specific conditions in each country, or at the subnational level. Objective Along WHO-Europe's framework for HHAP, this presentation aims to provide an overview of the core elements in place at the European level that public health officials can utilise to protect older people from heat and/or prevent heat impacts on older people, and will highlight the barriers and enablers for action. The presentation will also examine current levers and assets that exist at European, sub-national and local/municipal level to strengthen responses. Results Using examples from across European countries, the presentation summarises the current strategic and policy context framing responses to heat health for older people and will highlight what has worked well and where further work needs to be done. The presentation will also inspire dialogue among attendees, sharing knowledge from their countries and contexts. Conclusions A more targeted approach leveraging existing strategies and assets is needed to support policy-makers in implementing interventions to protect older people within the context of current HHAPs at different governance levels.