Missourians Urged to Take Precautions to Prevent Heat-Related Illness and Death This Summer

May 29, 2002
Contact:
Lori Harris-Franklin
Section for Environmental Public Health
573/526-4911

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 3 - 7).

Each year many Missourians suffer from heat-related illnesses, and even death. Last year 42 Missourians died due to heat-related causes; 24 of these 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 Ron Cates, interim 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," Cates 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, 267 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," Cates 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.

Cates 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.

The following information is available on the Department of Health and Senior Services' web site at http://www.dhss.state.mo.us/ColdAndHeat/CAndH.html

Additional Information on Heat-Related Illness and Prevention

• Includes warning signs and what to do for heat exhaustion and heat
  stroke.
  
• Provides recommendations on how to prevent heat-related illness.
  
• State of Missouri Heat Alert Policy
  
• Describes criteria for issuing hot weather health advisory, hot weather
  health warning and hot weather health emergency.
  

Go Back to where you were.