Health activates an awareness campaign to prevent health problems caused by high temperatures

• Since last May 15, the alert system of the General Directorate of Public Health on the temperature level has been active to prevent health risks.
• This is an early warning program, by transferring the information a day before and not on the same day of risk.
• The information is sent at the local level so that each municipality knows the temperature level and preventive measures to protect health against heat.
• The Department of Health has launched an awareness campaign aimed at citizens to prevent health problems caused by high temperatures, and raise awareness about the importance of taking preventive measures to avoid the adverse effects of extreme heat.

In fact, since last May 15, the General Directorate of Public Health has had the Program for Prevention and Attention to Health Problems derived from High Temperatures in the Valencian Community active, which will continue until September 30, unless weather conditions recommend its modification.

As explained by the general director of Public Health, Ruth Usó, “we have one of the earliest warning systems, since all the information about the temperature level of a specific area, as well as preventive measures to avoid health problems related to extreme heat, they are communicated early a day before, which facilitates the implementation of the actions that are necessary."

"In addition, this system has a powerful communication network that transfers information to the local level, so that each municipality receives the day before a day of extreme heat the information on the level of health risk due to high temperatures, the type of nights depending on the heat and the preventive measures that must be implemented to protect the health of the population,” added Ruth Usó.

To this end, there is a program coordination commission that brings together all the entities qualified to convey information to the population, as well as to activate whatever resources are necessary aimed at protecting people's health against extreme heat, which is why they are institutions involved in the health, socio-health, educational, sports, environmental and municipal fields, among others.

Risk levels

The program establishes a forecast of the maximum temperatures for each municipality of the Valencian Community taking into account the threshold temperatures. With this information, a map is prepared daily on the level of risk in each area and is represented by four colors: green (absence of risk or level 0), yellow (low risk or level 1), orange (medium risk or level 2) and red (high risk or level 3), the latter corresponding to extreme heat.

In addition, the program makes a prediction of night temperatures that classify the type of night as: normal (< 20º), tropical (> 20ºC), equatorial (> 25ºC) and torrid (> 28ºC).

In this sense, the Department of Health issues an alert in cases where extreme heat may pose a risk to people's health (level 2, 3 and hot nights) and, therefore, it is advisable to take the appropriate measures. to avoid cases of dehydration, heat stroke or worsening of chronic diseases, among others.

Awareness campaign

In the event of an alert being activated, the entire population must be aware of the risks and special attention must be paid to the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, minors or patients suffering from a chronic disease or other pathology, in addition to others. vulnerable social groups (marginalization, homelessness...), in which an episode of excessive heat could compromise their health.

For this reason, the Ministry of Health has spread an awareness campaign with advice aimed at the population to avoid health problems, which will be disseminated through the media and social networks.

Likewise, the temperature forecast can be consulted on the website of the Department of Health , in an interactive format to offer information for each municipality in an agile and simple way. In addition, all the promotional material for the campaign is available on the website so that it can be downloaded (posters, radio and video spots).

Some of the tips to avoid risks associated with high temperatures are: avoid direct exposure to the sun between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.; drink plenty of water if you do not have a medical contraindication, avoid alcohol and caffeine; protect seniors, minors and other vulnerable people; use appropriate protective creams; exercise during cooler hours; and do not leave anyone in the car, including pets.