Heatwave Vulnerability: Concepts and Criteria

Öz

Heatwaves are among the effects of climate change that create adverse health impacts on societies. It is shown that the frequency, duration, and severity of heatwaves, which are extreme weather events, have increased in the last decades, and this increase is expected to continue in the future. Heatwaves create a significant mortality and morbidity burden with their direct and indirect effects. It also affects the quality, capacity, and continuity of healthcare services. The vulnerability of a region to heatwaves is defined as “the propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected” by heat waves and varies across geographies and societies of the world. In the context of climate change, heatwave vulnerability is conceptualized as a function of exposure, susceptibility, and adaptive capacity components. In recent years, a risk-based approach has been recommended to combat the effects of climate change. One of the most important public health policies and interventions for the coming years would be for countries to develop national and local heatwave action plans. In challenging the health effects of heatwaves, it is necessary to recognize their impact on public health, identify regions and populations with high vulnerability, and develop effective public health interventions in the management of heatwave periods.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• climate change
• extreme heat
• health services

Sıcak Hava Dalgası Kırılganlığı: Kavram ve Ölçütler

Öz

Sıcak hava dalgaları, iklim değişikliğinin toplumlar üzerinde olumsuz sağlık sonuçları yaratan etkilerinden biridir. Bir aşırı hava olayı olan sıcak hava dalgalarının sıklığı, süresi ve şiddetinde geçtiğimiz on yıllarda artış olduğu görülmektedir ve gelecekte de bu artışın sürmesi beklenmektedir. Sıcak hava dalgaları, doğrudan ve dolaylı etkileriyle önemli bir mortalite ve morbidite yükü yaratmaktadır. Ayrıca sağlık hizmeti sunumu kalitesini, kapasitesini ve devamlığını etkilemektedir. Bir bölgenin sıcak hava dalgası kırılganlığı, sıcak hava dalgalarından “olumsuz olarak etkilenme yatkınlığı ya da eğilimi” olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Sıcak hava dalgası kırılganlığı, dünyanın farklı bölgelerinde ve farklı topluluklarda heterojen bir dağılım göstermektedir. İklim değişikliği bağlamında sıcak hava dalgası kırılganlığı maruz kalma, duyarlılık ve uyum kapasitesi bileşenlerinin bir fonksiyonu olarak kavramsallaştırılmıştır. Son yıllarda iklim değişikliğinin etkileriyle mücadelede risk temelli bir yaklaşım önerilmektedir. Ülkelerin ulusal ve yerel sıcak hava dalgası eylem planları oluşturması, gelecek yıllara yönelik en önemli halk sağlığı politika ve müdahalelerinden biridir. Sıcak hava dalgalarının sağlık etkileriyle mücadelede toplum sağlığına olan etkilerinin tanınmasından başlanarak, kırılganlığın yüksek olduğu bölgelerin ve popülasyonların tespit edilmesi ve sıcak hava dalgası dönemlerinin yönetiminde etkili halk sağlığı müdahalelerinin geliştirilmesi gerekmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• iklim değişikliği
• aşırı sıcak
• sağlık hizmetleri

Kaynakça

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