FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 19, 2003
CONTACT:
Carol Steinman
Section for Environmental Public Health
573/751-6160
Missourians Urged to Take Precautions to Prevent
Heat-Related Illness and Death This Summer
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
advised Missourians today to take extra precautions this summer
to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths. Summer heat can
take its toll on a person's health, especially the very young,
the elderly and the chronically ill. The reminder was issued as
part of Missouri Summer Weather Safety Week (June 22-27).
Each year many Missourians suffer from heat-related
illnesses, and even death. Last year 24 Missourians died due to
heat-related causes; of these 12 were individuals aged 65 or older.
During prolonged periods of high temperatures, air conditioning
is the best preventive measure.
"Missourians need to be aware that exposure
to high temperatures and humidity can cause heat-related illness
and even death," said Richard Dunn, director of the Department
of Health and Senior Services.
The elderly and the chronically ill are more vulnerable
to the effects of high temperatures. They perspire less and are
more likely to have health problems requiring medications that
can impair the body's response to heat. Many prescription medications
make individuals more sensitive to the heat.
"People should check with their doctor or pharmacist
to find out if their medications fall into this category,"
Dunn said. Some of these medications include antipsychotics, major
tranquilizers, antihistamines, over-the-counter sleeping pills,
antidepressants, heart drugs and some antiparkinsonian agents.
During the past ten summers, 286 Missourians have
died due to heat-related causes.
"This summer we urge all Missourians to check on elderly family members and neighbors regularly to be sure they are not suffering from the effects of high temperatures," Dunn said. "Do not leave infants and children unattended in hot environments."
Heat-related illness occurs when the body's temperature
control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by
sweating, but when the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate
as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Other
conditions that can limit the ability to regulate body temperature
include old age, obesity, infection or fever, diarrhea or dehydration,
certain medications, heart disease, poor circulation, diabetes,
sunburn and drug or alcohol use. Very high body temperatures may
damage the brain or other vital organs.
The most efficient way to beat the heat is to spend
time in an air-conditioned area. If you do not have air conditioning
in your home, consider spending some time in a shopping mall,
public library or other air-conditioned location. Electric fans
may be useful to increase comfort or to draw cool air into your
home at night, but do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling
device during a heat wave. As the air temperature rises, air flow
is increasingly ineffective in cooling the body until finally,
at temperatures above about 100° F (the exact number varies
with the humidity) increasing air movement actually increases
heat stress. More specifically, when the temperature of the air
rises to about 100° F, the fan may be delivering overheated
air to the skin at a rate that exceeds the capacity of the body
to get rid of this heat, even with sweating, and the net effect
is to add heat rather than to cool the body.
Dunn urges Missourians
to use the state's toll-free adult abuse hotline, 1-800-392-0210,
to report any elderly persons suffering from the heat and needing
assistance.
In order to warn Missourians of dangerous heat conditions,
the department actively monitors heat indexes across the state
on a daily basis during the summer and issues appropriate advisories
and warnings. The department also monitors the incidence of heat-related
illness and death, especially during heat waves. A statewide Hot
Weather Health Advisory will be issued by the Department
of Health and Senior Services when a heat index of 105° is
first reached (or predicted) in a large proportion of the state.
The Department of Health and Senior Services will issue a statewide
Hot Weather Health Warning when the afternoon heat index has been
at least 105° for two days and when weather forecasts call
for continued high-stress conditions for at least 48 hours over
a large proportion of the state.
Additional information on preventing heat-related
illness and the state's heat alert policy is also available through
the Department of Health and Senior Services' web site at http://www.dhss.state.mo.us/ColdAndHeat/CAndH.html.