PREVENTING ILLNESSES AND COMPLICATIONS DURING HEAT WAVE: RISK AWARENESS AND BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

Abstract

Introduction. Heat waves pose an unequivocal risk to public health and the frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves will increase in the coming years due to climate change. Effective adaptation to heat waves and protective measures can reduce risks to people and ecosystems.

Material and methods. Research of foreign specialized literature sources was carried out. The study was based on the evaluation of the correct behavior during the heat wave and the population's health. Sources were selected from ResearchGate, the Google Scholar search engine and the PubMed database, using the keywords "climate change", "health", and "prevention". Narrative synthesis highlighted the interrelationships between correct behavior during the heat wave and health.

Results. Climate change is regarded as the greatest global threat of the 21st century, endangering human life and well-being. Climate change has led to an increased frequency of temperature anomalies in recent decades. Consequently, heat waves are increasing in number, intensity and duration in many countries around the world and causing negative health effects. Physical health was associated with ambient temperature and heat waves. With the frequent occurrence of heat waves, the adaptive effects and mechanisms on health are very varied. Ensuring that the public's everyday behaviors spontaneously adjust in response to heat waves is an important aspect of successful public health intervention in the context of climate change. However, current guidance on heat response behavior is insufficient due to a limited understanding of public perceptions of heat-related risk and the drivers of diverse population adaptive behaviors. In response to this recognized threat – heat waves, communities around the world are implementing and/or improving heat early warning systems and response plans, often referred to as heat action plans. They provide messages about the potential adverse health effects of extreme heat events, to which they may be exposed at particularly high risk, and actions that can help individuals to better protect themselves.

Conclusions. The population's awareness of the danger of heat waves on their health is leading to appropriate behavior in actions, doing more to protect themselves and their communities.