Heat Health Action Plans - The Role of Human Biometeorology and Urban Climatology

Heat is one of the most important adaptations possibilities, which cannot only be helpful for the reduction of mortality and morbidity but also an issue in term of work productivity and in general for quality of life worldwide. For the quantification of heat and heat stress, methods from urban climatology and human biometeorology can provide results and information which can be directly applied for combatting/assessing climate impact and for the development of strategies and action against heat. Heat health action plans (HHAP) are a comprehensive tool, which focuses on short, medium and long term goals/aims and are relevant for the protection of vulnerable and risk groups. They consider factors, such as coordination and responsibilities of the Plans, heat health early warning system, information ways and plans, possibilities of reduction of indoor heat, specific actions for the protection of vulnerable people (mostly elderly), education options for health sectors, urban planning options for reduction of heat and finally the monitoring of actions and their evaluation. The evaluation factor considers the monitoring of the actions. The mitigation of heat and the implication on human health bring several disciplines together and the application and implementation of actions require scientific results and analysis based not only on measurements but also the application of micro scale models, under consideration validation of results. In addition, the knowledge of quantification of heat implications and the use of heat health warning systems are crucial for the protection of human life from extreme heat and heat waves. Finally, HHAPs should be often updated and consist from a preparation and post-processing part and are an issue not only during summer and extreme heat conditions and heat waves.