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Approach to heat-related illness
Samantha Green1, Susan Deering2, David Ng3
1Family physician at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Ont, Faculty Lead in Climate Change and Health in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, and President-Elect of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|September 13, 2024
Summary
Family physicians play a crucial role in preventing heat-related illness by identifying at-risk patients and advocating for interventions. Early recognition and management are key to mitigating the severe impacts of extreme heat events.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
- Family Medicine
Background:
- Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme heat events.
- Heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke, pose significant health risks.
- Underlying health conditions and socioeconomic factors can increase patient vulnerability to heat.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe heat-related illness (HRI).
- To outline treatment approaches for HRI in family practice settings.
- To inform primary care providers on managing HRI.
Main Methods:
- Searched PubMed using MeSH terms 'heat-related illness' and 'primary care'.
- Included clinical trials, practice reviews, and systematic reviews.
- Reviewed reference lists of relevant articles for comprehensive data.
Main Results:
- Extreme heat events are a growing public health concern.
- HRI can lead to severe outcomes, including death, and exacerbate existing health issues.
- Patient risk is influenced by heat sensitivity, exposure levels, and resource access.
Conclusions:
- Family physicians are vital in preventing HRI.
- Key roles include identifying high-risk individuals and providing patient counseling.
- Advocating for community-level interventions can reduce HRI incidence.
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