Heat, Death, Plagues of Warming

Question 1

what are heat waves?

Answer 1

• periods of abnormally hot weather that generally last more than two days
  
  • can occur with or without humidity

Question 2

how are heat waves expected to change because of climate change?

Answer 2

• expected to increase in frequency, duration and magnitude
• exposure has both physiological and socio-economic effects
  
  • heat can affect the prices of produce and food
• exacerbated in urban areas due to the “Urban Heat Island” effect
  
  • impact is felt more in urban areas than rural areas
  • urban areas have more concrete and metal while rural areas have more nature

Question 3

what are the three factors that the health impacts of heat waves depend on?

Answer 3

1. intensity and duration of temperature
2. acclimatization and adaptation of population
3. infrastructure and preparedness

Question 4

what is a heat dome?

Answer 4

• occurs when the atmosphere traps hot ocean air like a lid
• the jet stream that moves air, shifts northward in the summer
• hot and stagnant air expands upwards
• strong and and high-pressure atmospheric conditions act like a dome
• ultimately results in a heat dome

Question 5

what are some direct impacts of heat on health?

Answer 5

• heat illness (dehydration, heat cramps, heat stroke)
• accelerated death from noncommunicable diseases
• hospitalization

Question 6

what are some indirect impacts of heat on health?

Answer 6

• increased demand of health services
• increased risk of accidents (drowning, work-related accidents)
• increased transmission of food/water-borne diseases
• potential disruption of infrastructure

Question 7

what are the physiological effects of dehydration?

Answer 7

• acute kidney injury can be a long-term effect of heat exposure
• low blood volume → low kidney blood flow
• body releases Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
• kidneys build-up waste, electrolytes, & solutes
• blood concentration increases → high K and Ca+2
• low fluid intake → low glucose → central nervous system effects

Question 8

what are the signs of dehydration in adults?

Answer 8

• headaches or dizziness
• tiredness
• feeling thirsty
• muscle weakness
• darker yellow urine
• urinating a little

Question 9

what are the signs of dehydration in infants and young kids?

Answer 9

• unusually sleepy or drowsy
• crying without producing tears
• dry mmouth
• dry or sticky tongue
• high fever
• dry diaper for 3+ hours

Question 10

how can we prevent the negative health impacts of heat waves?

Answer 10

• primary prevention - acclimatize, become accustomed to the new climate
• seconday prevention - monitor self and seek cooler places
• tertiary intervention - immediate response to cool people