Abstracts - Posters

The Health Impacts of Heat Waves and Urban Heat Island Effect; Review of Current Adaptation Initiatives in Quebec

Mélissa Giguère¹ and Pierre Gosselin
¹Institut national de santé publique du Québec
melissa_giguere@hotmail.com

Context:
According to climate models, summer temperatures in Quebec will rise 2-3ºC in the coming decades. This rise in temperature and the urban heat island effect may result in an increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves. This is a disturbing situation for public health, especially for vulnerable populations.

Overall Objective:
To paint a picture of individual and organizational adaptation initiatives under way or in the process of being implemented from now to 2008, to reduce the impacts of heat waves on the health and well-being of Quebeckers.

Data Collection:

1. Review of the literature using general and specialized search engines.
2. Semi-structured telephone interviews with 28 key contacts in public and private institutions (e.g. health, municipalities).

Analysis Criteria

1. Classification of adaptation initiatives identified in the following areas: monitoring; education/training; health procedures/services; technologies; territorial management/environmental measures; infrastructure; economics/taxation; policies
2. Comparison of initiatives in Quebec with health-related recommendations issued in Canada, the United States and France

Results:

1. Adaptation initiatives related to monitoring, education/training and territorial management/environmental measures are in place in a large portion of Quebec.
2. There appear to be few initiatives in the areas of technology, infrastructure, economics and politics.

Recommendations:
To attain an optimal level of adaptation in Quebec, the following adaptation initiatives should be given priority:

1. Specialized training for health professionals
2. Review of health centre management
3. Implementation of pilot projects for environmental measures
4. Creation of financial incentives

2005-04-06