Developing a harmonized heat warning and information system for Ontario: a case study in collaboration.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Heat wave early warning systems help alert decision-makers and the public to prepare for hot weather and implement preventive actions to protect health. Prior to harmonization, public health units across Ontario either used independent systems with varying methodologies for triggering and issuing public heat warnings or did not use any system. The federal government also issued heat warnings based on different criteria. During heat events, adjacent public health units in Ontario and the federal government would routinely call heat warnings at different times with separate public messages, leading to confusion. This article describes the collaborative process and key steps in developing a harmonized Heat Warning and Information System (HWIS) for Ontario.

Setting

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SUBMITTER: Henderson D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7351991 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature