Würzburg's heat telephone: Old people in the focus of the summer heat!

Würzburg's heat telephone: Old people in the focus of the summer heat!

Würzburg, Deutschland - in Würzburg it is hot because the city is fighting with extreme temperatures that recently provided uncomfortable tropical nights. In order to support older citizens in particular, the city has launched a heat phone that acts as part of the heat action plan. With this step, Würzburg aims to draw attention to the challenges that the heat brings with it and provide helpful tips to minimize the dangers. According to Radio Gong it is above all older people who are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of heat.

A look at the new measures shows that registered people on so -called heat days are called by volunteers between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to ensure that they get through the heat well. The focus is on the fact that those affected cannot call themselves to get help. This initiative has the goal of not only spreading information, but also strengthening the bond within the community.

The influence of climate change

The increasing temperatures are not just a temporary phenomenon, but a sign of climate change that is the greatest challenge for human health. According to the knowledge of the University of Bonn, the fastest and significant increase in temperature occurs worldwide in Europe. Heat waves increase in frequency and intensity, so that forecasts predict further reinforcements in the coming decades. Older people are particularly affected.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended measures to support the development of heat action plans to ensure targeted risk and crisis communication. This is also seen as part of the efforts to increase health literacy and risk perception in older people in times of extreme heat. Studies show that the perception of the risks has direct effects on behavior and implementation of adaptation measures. For example, a higher risk perception is associated with more carried out measures to mitigate heat symptoms. This is evidenced by studies that were carried out in cities such as Cologne, among other things the frequency of heat symptoms. The results clarify how important it is that older people are informed about adequate strategies in dealing with heat load.

important recommendations for action

Health care urgently needs improvements with regard to rish -conscious behavior in the heat. Many older people obviously drink too little and use hardly any water -related cooling measures. An underestimation of your own heat symptoms could lead to health risks that can lead to heat shells in severe cases. Therefore, health experts recommend that they urgently pay attention to sufficient fluid intake and methods for body cooling.

The heat phone in Würzburg is an important step in the right direction. The city shows that there is something and does everything they can to help the particularly endangered older fellow citizens through the hot days. In addition, it is essential that resilient information about heat and health will be spread to protect the population as best as possible. The goal is clear: ensure quality of life even at extreme temperatures.