Tag: heat

Climate Change and Public Health

When the Department of Public Health declares a heat emergency, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging also takes emergency calls until midnight. In cases of dire need, a nurse is dispatched to the person’s home.

Continued vigilance is essential, says current health commissioner Thomas Farley.

“We are trying to prevent every heat-related death, all of which are tragic and preventable,” he said.

https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/climate-change-heat-death-heart-failure-20190911.html

By Tom Avril

First Heat-Related Death of 2019

AP

The Philadelphia Department of Health said Monday that the death of a man in his 70s in West Philadelphia on Saturday was attributed to the heat. No other details were provided.

https://www.fox29.com/news/hot-weather-cited-in-death-of-philadelphia-man

By Staff

PhillyVoice

This is the city’s first heat-related death of 2019. By comparison, during July 1993 in Philadelphia, the medical examiner’s office determined 118 deaths were heat-related, the CDC reported. And officials in Chicago reported two heat-related deaths over the weekend, bringing that city’s total to three for the year.

By Emily Rolen

CBS 3

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has confirmed a heat-related death in the city’s West Philadelphia section. A man in his 70s was found dead on Saturday.

By Staff

WHYY

In 2011, 35 people died from heat-related causes in Philadelphia, the largest number of such deaths in the last 10 years. That’s a decrease from the 1990s which saw 361 deaths over the decade, said James Garrow, a spokesman for the city’s Department of Health.

By Ximena Conde

 

 

Philly’s Heat Warning System Saves Lives

The health department has met the challenges of heat mortality head on, taking innovative steps to mitigate deaths in recent years. “It used to be that when NWS issued an excessive heat warning, the city would automatically do the same thing, and then all these programs would get implemented,” says Garrow. But by cross-referencing data about when the NWS issued alerts with the city’s data about when people were actually dying from heat-related issues, the health department saw that the NWS-issued heat warnings “didn’t really match up with when we saw deaths.” In response, city has begun to issue heat health emergencies independently from the NWS.

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2019/07/19/heat-warning-system/

By Ella Comberg

Heat Health Emergency Declared July 17, 2019

Release

In response to forecast maximum heat indexes over 110, Health Commissioner Thomas Farley, MD, MPH has issued a Heat Health Emergency in Philadelphia. This designation begins Wednesday, July 17, at noon and is scheduled to end Sunday, July 21, at 11 p.m.

https://mailchi.mp/phila.gov/health-commissioner-declares-first-heat-health-emergency-of-2019

WHYY

Philadelphia has declared a heat health emergency starting Wednesday at noon, and announced Thursday it would be extended through Monday at 11 p.m. The emergency declaration, which comes after a National Weather Service prediction of heat index values as high as 110 degrees this weekend, kicks into effect city services designed to keep people cool and safe from the dangers of excessive heat.

https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-declares-a-heat-health-emergency-scientists-say-more-to-come/

By Catalina Jaramillo

Patch

“We strongly urge the public to visit older friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure that air conditioners or fans are working and homes are adequately ventilated,” Farley said. “In a heat wave, the majority of the victims are older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions.”

https://patch.com/pennsylvania/philadelphia/heat-emergency-declared-philadelphia

By Max Bennett

NBC10

The City of Philadelphia also issued its first heat health emergency of the summer, joining other area communities, including Camden, Mercer and Montgomery counties and Wilmington, in launching initiatives for helping people more susceptible to the heat.

“We strongly urge the public to visit older friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure that air conditioners or fans are working and homes are adequately ventilated,” Philly Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said. “In a heat wave, the majority of the victims are older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions.”

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/weather/Triple-Digit-Heat-Storms-Hottest-in-Years-512824551.html

By FirstAlert Weather Team

PhillyVoice

The official declaration, issued by Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, means the city’s Heatline, a special helpline number, will be open for calls. The Heatline offers health and safety tips, and connects people with medical professionals to ask about conditions and illnesses made worse from heat.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/philadelphia-heat-health-emergency-weather-july-heat-wave/

By Adam Hermann

Philly Magazine

The city has already declared the year’s first Heat Health Emergency, which will remain in effect until Sunday evening. That means some of those aforementioned cooling centers will institute longer hours, and the city will also operate a (ahem) hotline, where you can call for heat-reduction advice. The city also has an extreme weather notification system, for which you can sign up here.

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2019/07/17/philadelphia-heat-emergency/

By David Murrell

6ABC

The City of Philadelphia has declared a Heat Health Emergency.

This Emergency begins Wednesday, July 17, at 12 p.m. and is scheduled to end Sunday, July 21, at 11 p.m.

Due to the extreme heat, the City says it is implementing special measure to keep residents safe.

https://6abc.com/weather/city-of-philadelphia-declares-heat-health-emergency/5401406/

By Staff

Inquirer

“We strongly urge the public to visit older friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure that air conditioners or fans are working and homes are adequately ventilated. In a heat wave, the majority of the victims are older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions,” Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said.

https://www.inquirer.com/weather/philadelphia-weather-forecast-temperature-heat-wave-code-red-pool-schedule-20190716.html

By Rob Tornoe and Mariah Rush

KYW

The Philadelphia Department of Pubic Health Commissioner, Thomas Farley, MD,MPH says the heat this week could be deadly. In response to the forecast of heat indexes over 110 degrees, Farley has issued a Heat Health Emergency in Philadelphia from Wednesday until Sunday, July 21.

https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/hot-hot-hot-what-you-need-know-after-philadelphia-declares-code-red

By Justin Udo

Inquirer 2

Head to one of the city’s 60-plus public pools and spraygrounds (think of a smaller version of Dilworth Park’s massive concrete sprinkler system, built into your local playground). Check the city’s online map to see what’s close to you. Pools are open noon to 5 p.m. on weekends and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week and will operate on a free swim schedule until further notice.

“That means that there’s no set program for little kids or adults, so anyone can hop into the pool and cool off,” says James Garrow, the director of communications at the Department of Public Health.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/heat-wave-cooling-centers-philadelphia-libraries-public-pools-spraygrounds-20190719.html

By Bethany Ao

Wall Street Journal

“From our perspective, this is not something to take lightly,” said James Garrow, a spokesman for Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health, which has issued a Heat Health Emergency declaration lasting through Sunday.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/eastern-seaboard-braces-for-possible-record-breaking-heat-wave-11563470222

By Jennifer Calfas

Heat Vulnerability Index highlights City hot spots

Think your neighborhood is the hottest in Philadelphia? Find out using the Philadelphia Heat Vulnerability Index.

It’s true, some Philadelphia neighborhoods are hotter than others. It’s important for City agencies to know where those neighborhoods are, to help keep people safe during very hot weather. The Philadelphia Heat Vulnerability Index, developed by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and the Office of Sustainability, shows which areas in the city are hottest and coolest during the summer.

https://www.phila.gov/2019-07-16-heat-vulnerability-index-highlights-city-hot-spots/

What happens when the City declares a Heat Health Emergency

During very hot weather, the City will declare a Heat Health Emergency. When we declare a Heat Health Emergency, we activate several City services to ensure our residents stay safe.

During a Heat Health Emergency it’s important to check on loved ones, neighbors, and pets and look out for each other. When daytime temperatures reach the 90s or triple digits and are accompanied by high humidity for two or more days, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can happen. If you think someone is having a medical emergency, call 911.

https://www.phila.gov/2019-06-11-what-happens-when-the-city-declares-a-heat-health-emergency/

5 ways you can help prevent heat-related illness

Very hot weather can make people sick, even healthy adults. Older adults, those who are pregnant, infants and young children, people experiencing homelessness, and people with pre-existing health conditions are at higher risk.

If you see someone on the street who needs help, you can call the Office of Homeless Services outreach hotline at 215-232-1984. If you think someone is having a medical emergency, call 911.

https://www.phila.gov/2019-05-30-5-ways-you-can-help-prevent-heat-related-illness/

Three Heat-related Deaths Announced

Meanwhile, the city confirmed that a heat-related death had occurred last Wednesday, only the third of a summer that has been among the warmer ones on record.

 

“Drug intoxication” also was a factor in the death, said Health Department spokesman James Garrow.

http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/weather/philadelphia-weather-heat-wave-relief-eagles-falcons-20180906.html

By Joseph Gambardello