title: Evaluating the effectiveness of heat warning systems : a systematic review of epidemiological evidence
creator: Toloo, Ghasem
creator: FitzGerald, Gerard
creator: Peter, Aitken
creator: Verrall, Kenneth
creator: Tong, Shilu
subject: 111705 Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety
subject: 111708 Health and Community Services
subject: 111712 Health Promotion
subject: 111716 Preventive Medicine
subject: 111717 Primary Health Care
subject: 160507 Environment Policy
subject: 160508 Health Policy
subject: 160802 Environmental Sociology
subject: 170113 Social and Community Psychology
subject: Heat warning system
subject: Effectiveness
subject: Mortality
subject: Morbidity
subject: Health beliefs
subject: Health service utilization
description: Objectives  To review the existing research on the effectiveness of heat warning systems (HWSs) in saving lives and reducing harm.    Methods  A systematic search of major databases was conducted, using “heat, heatwave, high temperature, hot temperature, OR hot climate” AND “warning system”.    Results  Fifteen articles were retrieved. Six studies asserted that fewer people died of excessive heat after HWS implementation. HWS was associated with reduction in ambulance use. One study estimated the benefits of HWS to be 468millionforsaving117livescomparedto210,000 costs of running the system. Eight studies showed that mere availability of HWS did not lead to behavioral changes. Perceived threat of heat dangers to self/others was the main factor related to heeding warnings and taking proper actions. However, costs and barriers associated with taking protective actions, such as costs of running air conditioners, were of significant concern particularly to the poor.    Conclusions  Research in this area is limited. Prospective designs applying health behavior theories should establish whether HWS can produce the health benefits they are purported to achieve by identifying the target vulnerable groups.
publisher: SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
date: 2013-10
type: Journal Article
relation: DOI:10.1007/s00038-013-0465-2
relation:    Toloo, Ghasem, FitzGerald, Gerard, Peter, Aitken, Verrall, Kenneth,  & Tong, Shilu   (2013)    Evaluating the effectiveness of heat warning systems : a systematic review of epidemiological evidence.  International Journal of Public Health, 58(5), pp. 667-681.    
identifier: https://eprints.qut.edu.au/59026/
source: Centre for Emergency & Disaster Management; Faculty of Health; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation; School of Public Health & Social Work