Heat Waves, Water and Health

Health warnings are being issued in extreme conditions as the temperatures in the UK reach 31C (87.8F) and this will affect women more than men. The current hot temperatures have triggered health alerts from the Met Office. It warned this weekend that night-time temperatures were of major concern. Wayne Elliot is the head of health forecasting for the Met and says “High humidity and the lack of a breeze could make matters worse for people with underlying health problems.”

In heat wave conditions women suffer much more than men, being less able to regulate their internal body temperature effectively especially over sixty years of age.

In the European heat wave in 2003, the excess mortality for women was 75% higher than that for men of all ages. Similarly, the excess mortality in the 1995 heat wave in Greater London was more pronounced for women, in ways that cannot entirely be accounted for by age. While the explanation is complex, factors are likely to include poverty, which affects women in all cities and countryside areas statistically more than men. Other key factors are deprivation and living alone, vulnerability to associated air pollution and the associated risks of dehydration of the body.

Water is essential for all life. Drinking water is the most obvious solution but of course for women around the world, but safe cool drinking water is not necessary available. In temperatures reaching 47C in India already in 2010 families have found that cool water is only available during the early morning 2am – 5am as pipes have heated in the entire system due to prolonged and extreme temperatures during the daytime hours.

In the heat and dry season women in many developing nations have to walk further each year to find safe water for drinking and cooking, spending up to 8 hours a day on the road, often in dangerous and tiring conditions spending 40 billion hours every year hauling up water. In Africa, women do 90% of the work of gathering water and food, and children, in particular girls, often share these responsibilities. Concern has been raised by many developmental NGOs regarding the widespread practise of sending girls to collect water instead of sending them to school.

Already one third of the world’s population faces water shortages and that figure is expected to rise to two thirds by 2025. Even with a moderate increase in global temperatures of 1oC it is estimated that the small glaciers in the Andes will disappear, threatening water supplies in South America for 50 million people. A 2oC increase would decrease water availability across the planet by 20-30%.


Met Office Heat Wave Advice
Before a heatwave
• Ensure you have plenty of cold fluids available.
During a heatwave
• Try to keep your house cool, closing blinds or curtains can help.
• At night, keep your sleeping area well ventilated. Night cooling is important as it allows the body to recuperate.
• Try to stay cool by taking cool showers or baths and/or sprinkle yourself several times a day with cold water.
• Avoid too much exercise, which can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and can even be fatal. Watch for signs of heat stress — an early sign is fatigue.
• Drink plenty of fluids, but not alcohol, which dehydrates the body.
• Try to eat as you normally would. Not eating properly may exacerbate health-related problems.
• If driving, keep your vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness. Take plenty of water with you and have regular rest breaks.
• If you have elderly neighbours who may be at risk during a heatwave, try to visit them daily.
• If you do go out, try and avoid the hottest part of the day (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and seek shade where possible. Avoid being in the sun for long stretches.
Before going out in the sun
• Check you have appropriate sun cream for your particular type of skin.
During sunny weather
• The UV index (the strength of the sun) can be high at many times of the year — it doesn't have to be hot. The UV index can be strong through cloud even when the sun isn't directly shining.
• If you go out, wear lightweight, light-coloured clothing, high factor sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Avoid being in the sun for long stretches.
• Reapply an appropriate factor sun cream at regular intervals during the day.
Do not leave children or animals in parked cars. Even on cool days, strong sunshine can make car interiors very hot.