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Surveillance of Summer Mortality and Preparedness to Reduce the Health Impact of Heat Waves in Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Paola Michelozzi

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Francesca K. De’ Donato

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Anna Maria Bargagli

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Daniela D’Ippoliti

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Manuela De Sario

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Claudia Marino

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Patrizia Schifano

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Giovanna Cappai

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Michela Leone

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Ursula Kirchmayer

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Martina Ventura

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Marta Di Gennaro

    (Department of Civil Protection, Via Ulpiano, 11-00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Marco Leonardi

    (Department of Civil Protection, Via Ulpiano, 11-00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Oleari

    (Ministry of Health, Lungotevere Ripa, 1-00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Annamaria De Martino

    (Ministry of Health, Lungotevere Ripa, 1-00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Carlo A. Perucci

    (Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Since 2004, the Italian Department for Civil Protection and the Ministry of Health have implemented a national program for the prevention of heat-health effects during summer, which to-date includes 34 major cities and 93% of the residents aged 65 years and over. The Italian program represents an important example of an integrated approach to prevent the impact of heat on health, comprising Heat Health Watch Warning Systems, a mortality surveillance system and prevention activities targeted to susceptible subgroups. City-specific warning systems are based on the relationship between temperature and mortality and serve as basis for the modulation of prevention measures. Local prevention activities, based on the guidelines defined by the Ministry of Health, are constructed around the infrastructures and services available. A key component of the prevention program is the identification of susceptible individuals and the active surveillance by General Practitioners, medical personnel and social workers. The mortality surveillance system enables the timely estimation of the impact of heat, and heat waves, on mortality during summer as well as to the evaluation of warning systems and prevention programs. Considering future predictions of climate change, the implementation of effective prevention programs, targeted to high risk subjects, become a priority in the public health agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Paola Michelozzi & Francesca K. De’ Donato & Anna Maria Bargagli & Daniela D’Ippoliti & Manuela De Sario & Claudia Marino & Patrizia Schifano & Giovanna Cappai & Michela Leone & Ursula Kirchmayer & Ma, 2010. "Surveillance of Summer Mortality and Preparedness to Reduce the Health Impact of Heat Waves in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:5:p:2256-2273:d:8240
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bernard, S.M. & McGeehin, M.A., 2004. "Municipal heat wave response plans," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(9), pages 1520-1522.
    2. Weisskopf, M.G. & Anderson, H.A. & Foldy, S. & Hanrahan, L.P. & Blair, K. & Török, T.J. & Rumm, P.D., 2002. "Heat wave morbidity and mortality, Milwaukee, Wis, 1999 vs 1995: An improved response?," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(5), pages 830-833.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mengmeng Li & Shaohua Gu & Peng Bi & Jun Yang & Qiyong Liu, 2015. "Heat Waves and Morbidity: Current Knowledge and Further Direction-A Comprehensive Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-28, May.
    2. Giuseppe Liotta & Maria Chiara Inzerilli & Leonardo Palombi & Olga Madaro & Stefano Orlando & Paola Scarcella & Daniela Betti & Maria Cristina Marazzi, 2018. "Social Interventions to Prevent Heat-Related Mortality in the Older Adult in Rome, Italy: A Quasi-Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Elisa Stivanello & Federico Chierzi & Paolo Marzaroli & Sara Zanella & Rossella Miglio & Patrizia Biavati & Vincenza Perlangeli & Domenico Berardi & Angelo Fioritti & Paolo Pandolfi, 2020. "Mental Health Disorders and Summer Temperature-Related Mortality: A Case Crossover Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-11, December.
    4. An Vu & Shannon Rutherford & Dung Phung, 2019. "Heat Health Prevention Measures and Adaptation in Older Populations—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-22, November.

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