Scorching Heat: A Warning from the Bavarian Medical Association to Municipalities
Municipal Leaders Encouraged to Adopt Heat Safeguard Measures by Medical Association Head - Municipal Heads Encouraged by Medical Professionals to Safeguard Communities Against Heat Exposure
The president of the Bavarian Medical Association, Gerald Quitterer, has issued a stark warning about the lack of heat protection measures in place. "Heat could well be the biggest climate-related health risk in Germany," he told the "Augsburger Allgemeine" (Friday edition). "The consequences range from acute heat-related illnesses to the worsening of chronic conditions."
Care should be taken not to downplay the health implications of the relentless heatwaves in Germany. The most susceptible to the physical perils include the chronically ill, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and children and adolescents. Research also indicates that heatwaves might negatively impact mental health, increasing the likelihood of depression, anxiety disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorders.
Children and Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to heat illnesses, noted the doctor. "Physicians witness more children suffering from headaches, dizziness, or nausea after sports in the heat in the evenings." Children have an increased risk of heat illnesses up to nine times over.
"We urgently require model heat protection plans at federal, state, and municipal levels," asserted the medical association president. This involves the creation of shaded areas, the designation of cool spaces, and the planting of more greenery. "I don't wish to dampen anyone's love for summer, but we, as a society, have yet to fully understand the danger posed by the heat," he warned.
Heat Protection Strategies
- Avoiding peak sun hours: Children should steer clear of outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, usually between 11 am and 4 pm.
- Hydration: Regardless of the season, it's essential to keep children hydrated by ensuring they drink plenty of water.
- Cooling areas: Opt for shaded or air-conditioned spaces, like public buildings, schools, or daycare centers equipped with cooling systems.
- Appropriate clothing: Dress children in breathable, loose-fitting, and light-colored attire to help them stay cool.
- Regular cooling breaks: Encourage frequent breaks in cool or shaded areas during any necessary outdoor activities.
- Structural and institutional measures: Install cooling systems, green roofs, or shading structures in schools, daycares, and other public spaces.
- Education and awareness: Teach children and staff about the dangers of excessive heat and the importance of staying hydrated and cool.
- Emergency plans: Create and implement emergency plans for heatwaves in educational and childcare facilities, including guidelines for addressing heat-related health threats.
A National Mandate for Action
Leading medical associations in Germany, including those at regional and national levels, are championing the prioritization of heat protection measures in public health policy. Ongoing monitoring and updating of adaptation strategies are being advocated to account for rises in the number of hot days and heatwaves.
- The Bavarian Medical Association emphasizes the need for a comprehensive 'employment policy' that prioritizes the creation of shaded areas, designation of cool spaces, and the planting of greenery within workplaces to protect outdoor workers from heat-related illnesses.
- To address the mental health implications of climate change, particularly heatwaves, there should be an inclusion of 'mental-health' considerations in community and 'employment policy', ensuring support and resources for those affected by extreme weather events.
- Partnerships between 'environmental-science' researchers and urban planners are vital for developing effective 'climate-change' mitigation strategies that attend to the health needs of vulnerable populations, such as children and adolescents, in urban areas.
