[Hot weather and health risks in the focus of the Hessian health authorities : Inspection and consultation of residential care and nursing facilities since 2004]. / Hitzeschutz im Fokus der hessischen Betreuungs- und Pflegeaufsicht : Beratung und Prüfung stationärer Einrichtungen seit dem Jahr 2004.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Heat extremes are associated with considerable health risks, especially for vulnerable groups. To counteract these risks, public health policy calls for protective measures to be linked to heat warnings. Such links do not generally exist in Germany, with the exception of the heat inspections and consultations carried out by the Hessian health authorities since 2004. The aims of this work were to identify the structures and processes of the Hessian heat inspections and heat consultations and to derive findings for acute response to heat in residential care and nursing facilities. METHODS: We conducted 14 qualitative, semi-structured interviews with experts from the Hessian health authorities as well as with managers of residential care and nursing facilities. The analysis of the interview protocols was carried out using content-structuring qualitative content analysis. In addition, documents from the supervisory authority were analyzed. RESULTS: Every year, up to 370 heat inspections are carried out in the approximately 2500 inpatient facilities in Hesse. They are either integrated into already planned inspections or carried out separately; they focus on preventive and acute measures. In principle, heat protection can be easily integrated into the daily routine of residential health facilities. High staff turnover and lack of resources pose challenges. DISCUSSION: Inspections and consultations on heat management raise awareness of hot weather health risks and support the establishment of preventive measures. The Hessian system is a suitable orientation for other federal states.

[Health protection against heat extremes in Germany: What has been done in federal states and municipalities?] / Gesundheitsschutz bei Hitzeextremen in Deutschland: Was wird in Ländern und Kommunen bisher unternommen?

BACKGROUND: Heat extremes are one of the most perceptible health risks of climate change. In the field of prevention, Germany relies on recommendations for heat health action plans and on programs to support such measures. OBJECTIVES: To give an overview of measures and projects for the prevention of heat-related mortality and morbidity that have been established in Germany. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Activities and projects covering heat and human health since 2003 were identified by database and Internet search. Projects just indirectly related to human health were excluded. We recorded federal states and funding agencies, and which of the eight core elements of the Federal Ministry for the Environment recommendations for action are addressed by the measure. RESULTS: Of the 190 projects, 19 can be assigned the keyword "heat health action plan", although these are very heterogeneous activities. The individual measures partly covered several criteria of the recommendations for action: 70.0% concern urban planning and construction, 37.4% information and communication, 24.2% vulnerable groups, 17.9% reducing indoor heat, 15.3% the use of a heat warning system, 13.7% each for central coordination, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the preparation of health and social systems, and 5.3% refer to monitoring and evaluation of measures. DISCUSSION: The number of measures and projects in Germany is considerable. However, it remains unclear whether these actions meet the criteria for effective medium- and short-term protection.