Stakeholders’ Perception on National Heatwave Plans and Their Local Implementation in Belgium and The Netherlands

Abstract

National heatwave plans are aimed at reducing the avoidable human health consequences due to heatwaves, by providing warnings as well as improving communication between relevant stakeholders. The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of key stakeholders within plans in Belgium and The Netherlands on their responsibilities, the partnerships, and the effectiveness of the local implementation in Brussels and Amsterdam. Key informant interviews were held with stakeholders that had an important role in development of the heatwave plan in these countries, or its implementation in Brussels or Amsterdam. Care organisations, including hospitals and elderly care organisations, had a lack of familiarity with the national heatwave plan in both cities, and prioritised heat the lowest. Some groups of individuals, specifically socially isolated individuals, are not sufficiently addressed by the current national heatwave plans and most local plans. Stakeholders reported that responsibilities were not clearly described and that the national plan does not describe tasks on a local level. We recommend to urgently increase awareness on the impact of heat on health among care organisations. More emphasis needs to be given to the variety of heat-risk groups. Stakeholders should be involved in the development of updates of the plans.

Public Attitudes to, and Behaviours Taken During, Hot Weather by Vulnerable Groups: Results from a National Survey in England

“…Our results show that many vulnerable and potentially vulnerable adults do not consider hot weather to be a risk to their health. They also illustrate that a person's attitude to hot weather appears to shape their behaviour, including those in vulnerable and potentially vulnerable groups, which accords with results from previous studies among the general population (19)(20)(21)(22). Moreover, much current public health messaging does not appear to be having the desired effect, as only around a quarter of respondents in the potentially vulnerable and vulnerable groups reported changing their behaviour during the level 3 heat-health alert period in June 2017 as a result of having heard hot weather-related health advice.…”

Heat and health in Antwerp under climate change: Projected impacts and implications for prevention

“…Warnings are prepared during level one. The effectiveness of this action plan has been examined and improvements considered ( van Loenhout et al, 2016 ). In addition to the National plan, the Flemish Region authorities have designed and are in the process of implementing a regional heat health action plan.…”

Effects of Orientations, Aspect Ratios, Pavement Materials and Vegetation Elements on Thermal Stress inside Typical Urban Canyons

“…Therefore, it is also important to consider heat exposure indicators for health impact assessment, which have mostly been studied at either the population level in observational studies or in occupational settings. Regarding heat risk perception, these seem to be one of the critical areas hindering the effectiveness of public health protection against heatwaves [38]. These behavioral factors working against health protection from heat seem to be, however, highly context specific [39], and in this sense urban greening may not by itself be assumed to universally protect against high temperatures.…”