Abstract
The 2003 heat wave in Europe was associated with an excess of mortality between 25,000 and 70,000 with a greater impact on the aging of the population and on individuals who lived socially isolated. These studies have brought to the debate the social implications of the vulnerabilities of the ageing population and the lack of tools and/or individual skills necessary for thermal adaptation inside their homes. However, contrary to what has happened at the community and population level, knowledge about adaptation to the scale of individuals has received very little attention and studies on the causes of exposure to heat, especially among vulnerable groups, are still very rare. Understanding the restrictions and limitations of the thermal adaptation process is a key element to minimize the harmful effects of heat on the vulnerable population. The IN-HALE project aims to identify the thermal summer conditions inside the residences of residents over 65 years of age and to identify the individual determinants of exposure to heat, as well as the barriers (material and / or immaterial) for thermal adaptation. The output of IN-HALE is a policy brief on promoting thermal comfort indoors, a communication plan for municipal actions to promote environmental health centred on thermal comfort, and a training program aimed at raising awareness among the elderly population about the importance of thermal comfort for health.
Presenters
João VasconcelosResearcher, Climate Change and Environmental Systems group (ZEPHYRUS), Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning of the University of Lisbon (IGOT) - University of Lisbon, Portugal
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Technical, Political, and Social Responses
KEYWORDS
HEAT ADAPTATION, INDOOR, ELDERLY, CLIMATE CHANGE, BARRIERS TO ADAPT
