Abstract
This study explores the efficacy of providing targeted information to older individuals to prevent adverse health outcomes during extreme heat. Participants ≥65 years of age (n = 637) were recruited from previous population-based studies and randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received evidence-based information leaflets and summarised “Beat the Heat” tips. Post summer 2013–2014, participants responded to questions about their behaviours and their health experiences. Chi square analysis and risk ratios (RR) were used to determine the difference in effects. Responses were received from 216 intervention subjects and 218 controls. Behaviour modification during extreme heat was similar in both groups except for significant increases in the use of cooling systems and the use of a wet cloth to cool the skin in the intervention group. Both actions were recommended in the information package. More people in the intervention group also claimed to have had adequate heat health information. After adjusting for confounders, the RR for self-reported heat stress experienced during summer 2014 indicated a 63% (RR 0.37; 95% CI: 0.22–0.63) reduction in the intervention group compared to the control group. Access to intensive prevention information may have contributed to this positive outcome, indicating the potential usefulness of targeted heat-health information for seniors.
Highlights
Health problems associated with extreme hot weather over several days should be preventable, but recent findings indicate that vulnerable people are at risk during heat, especially those with co-morbidities, and older people [1]
# p < 0.1 = borderline; * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.001. This is the first randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of an information package on behavior change and health outcomes related to extreme heat in a population of older people in Australia
Both studies successfully showed behavior changes; our study provided evidence of reduced heat-related health outcomes in the intervention group compared to the control group
Summary
Health problems associated with extreme hot weather over several days should be preventable, but recent findings indicate that vulnerable people are at risk during heat, especially those with co-morbidities, and older people [1]. Following extreme heat waves in major cities around the world, heat wave warning systems have been implemented with the aim to reduce mortality and morbidity [5,6,7]. While evaluations of these interventions are still sparse, some studies provide evidence that early warnings may be effective in saving lives and reducing morbidity [5,7,8]. Public Health 2017, 14, 992; doi:10.3390/ijerph14090992 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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