Heat-Related Illness in Older North Carolinians

Sara Smith, CHESLauren Thie, MSPH

October 2, 2015 Triad Aging Conference

Survey

Heat: Present & Future Danger

Heat-related Illness Survey

• Cleveland, McDowell, Rutherford Counties• 10 organizations, 113 respondents• Mostly female, 73 year old average• Most reported central air or window unit• 53% unaware of fan give-away program• 31% did not have friends or family to stay with

if their home is too hot

Heat & Air Quality

• Poor air quality days are high heat days• Combined exposure more dangerous,

especially to older citizens• Similar prevention messages

Heat Illness Surveillance

• May – September, 6 years of data• Weekly e-mails, web updates• Heatwave notification• Partnership opportunities• Want to join weekly list? l

auren.thie@dhhs.nc.gov• http://publichealth.nc.gov/chronicdiseaseandi

njury/heat.htm• @NCPublicHealth @LThieNC

Prevention Messages

• Increase fluid intake• Spend some time in cool or air-conditioned

environment• Reduce normal activity levels, move outside 11

am – 4 pm if possible• If you take medicine that impedes heat loss,

speak with your physician (high blood pressure, migraine, allergy, muscle spasm, mental illness, tranquilizers)

Resources

• Operation Fan Heat Relief– Fans– Air conditioning units

• DSS Power Bill Support?

Heat Health Vulnerability Tool (HHVT)• Developed by Southeast Regional Climate Center

(SERCC)– Joint project between SERCC, Carolinas Integrated Sciences

Assessment (CISA), BRACE grant and N.C. State Climate Office

• Used to investigate heat stress vulnerability and assess methods to improve warning systems in N.C.

• Has the capability to predict emergency department visits by county using temperature– Useful in providing specific data such as age,

socioeconomic statues, and geographic location• www.sercc.com/hhvt

Questions?

sara.j.smith@dhhs.nc.govlauren.thie@dhhs.nc.gov

919-707-5900@LThieNC

http://publichealth.nc.gov/chronicdiseaseandinjury/heat.htm