Heatwave risk: Group seeks broadened coverage for heat shields

Climate emergency: urgent action needed to avoid catastrophic consequences. - Heatwave risk: Group seeks broadened coverage for heat shields

Seniors are especially vulnerable to heat, but people with ongoing health issues and young children also face significant risks due to rising temperatures as a result of climate change. To combat this, representatives from the healthcare industry in Germany are urging the country to implement more comprehensive measures to protect its citizens during extreme heat. During a press conference at Berlin Charité Hospital, Martin Herrmann, the chairman of the German Alliance Climate Change and Health, explained, "The danger will only increase, and we're not yet properly prepared." Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) echoes this concern, stating, "People die from heat waves every year. The issue is becoming more critical." Across Europe, particularly due to its rapidly warming climate and aging population, heat waves have become a significant concern. Germany alone is estimated to have seen 3,200 heat-related deaths in 2023, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

The second-annual Nationwide Heat Action Day, organized by the German Medical Association, German Alliance Climate Change and Health (KLUG), AWO Federation, German Hospital Association, German Nursing Council, and the Association of General Practitioners and General Practitioners, was held on Wednesday. The goal of the event is to bring attention to the dangers of heat and strengthen measures for protecting the population. Over 50 institutions and associations have joined forces to promote awareness of heat-related hazards.

Herrmann stressed the need for comprehensive health-related heat protection plans at the state and municipal levels, stating, "It's unacceptable that some hospitals, nursing homes, or employers remain unprepared."

A joint statement from the alliance members calls for legislative measures putting heat protection in place as a legal requirement, fully funded by federal and state governments. Herrmann notes, "It's not enough to rely on voluntary efforts—we need laws."

Recent RKI reports indicate that the frequency of heat waves in Germany is expected to double, with up to six per year possible by the end of the century. The German Weather Service defines a heat wave as three or more consecutive days reaching 28°C (82.4°F) or higher. At Berlin Accident Hospital, preparations are well underway for dealing with the effects of climate change. For the past four years, the hospital has had a climate team in place, devising a heat protection strategy that identifies at-risk patients and employees and enacts measures such as adapting medications or relocating patients to cooler spaces. Clinical anesthetist and climate manager Andrea Nakoinz explained, "The first step is recognizing who is at risk in the heat." On top of this, non-urgent procedures could potentially be postponed. This year will mark the first time the hospital's new concept is trialed on a ward.

See more: [esi_ad_ns][{"type":"ads_middle590x90","id":"m4Ek0xzoT2e","title":"Telefon 24 Stunden kostenlos anrufen","text":"Wir helfen dir kostenlos 24 Stunden am Tag. Ruf nun an.\n\n0800 5420397131"}][/ Egypt O'Neal, the writer of the story, captures the growing urgency around heat protection in Germany. As climate change raises the risks of severe heat-related events, pressure is mounting on the government and healthcare providers to address the issue. Elderly individuals, people with chronic illnesses, and young children are particularly vulnerable. Awareness campaigns like the second-annual Nationwide Heat Action Day signal a new focus on improving heat protection measures.

Read also:

1. The German Alliance Climate Change and Health, led by Martin Herrmann, is advocating for broader coverage of heat shields due to the climate crisis-induced heatwave risk, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like seniors, people with health issues, and infants.
2. Germany has experienced a rising number of heat-related deaths, with an estimated 3,200 in 2023, as indicated by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
3. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) recognizes the increasing danger and criticality of heatwaves in Germany, with fatalities reported each year.
4. Across Europe, heatwaves are a significant concern, stemming from the continent's rapid warming climate and aging population.
5. The German Medical Association, among other organizations, organized the second-annual Nationwide Heat Action Day to boost awareness and strengthen measures for heat protection.
6. Martin Herrmann emphasized the importance of state and municipal health-related heat protection plans, criticizing the lack of preparation in some hospitals, nursing homes, and workplaces.
7. The alliance members called for legislative measures that mandate heat protection and require full funding from federal and state governments, arguing that voluntary efforts are insufficient.
8. Berlin Accident Hospital has been proactive in dealing with climate change's effects, developing a heat protection strategy since 2019, which identifies at-risk patients and employees and implements adjustments, such as adapting medications or relocating patients to cooler spaces.
9. In response to climate change's increasing heat-related risks, Klaus-Dieter Korte, the German Medical Association's President, expressed concerns about the healthcare system's capacity to manage the potential surge of heat-related issues, emphasizing the need for early action, amidst the broader climate crisis and its impacts on European healthcare systems.

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