[homeles_ot-l] FYI: Memo to the Board of Health on an update on Ottawa Public Health’s Work on the Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment for Extreme Heat

[Gharabaghi, Shahrzad]

This message is sent on behalf of Birgit Isernhagen:

Hi,

I wanted to give you all a heads up that I wrote, with Shahrzad Gharabaghi’s support, an Information Previously Distributed memo that is on the agenda of the Board of Health meeting of Monday, November 6, 2023. It’s an update on Ottawa Public Health’s Work on the Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment (CCHVA) for Extreme Heat to Improve Community Resilience.

Thank you for participating in the workshops and completing the survey that formed the basis of my memo. It helped determine who was at risk from extreme heat, what extreme heat adaptations strategies (at the individual, community, and building level) taken from the literature review were being implemented, and what gaps existed.

This memo attached highlights the findings up to this point. Most notable is a disconnect between the resources that exist and the information being implemented (e.g., soaking hands and feet in cool water, knowing how to access extreme heat warning systems). Also, there is interest in permanent misting stations and investigating opportunities to address extreme indoor heat for vulnerable populations (adequate and suitable cooling e.g., maximum heat by-law).

More consultation on extreme heat is planned in 2023/2024 (e.g., with Indigenous partners, landlords, tenants, older adults, mass event organizers). Consultations with outdoor workers is currently out of scope as Ontario is proposing a new heat stress regulation to protect workers. OPH will be exploring ways to address the need for adequate and sustainable cooling for vulnerable populations. Work will begin on vector-borne diseases, food and water-borne illnesses, wildfire smoke and stratospheric ozone assessments in 2024. OPH will provide updates to the Board of Health as more CCHVAs are completed.

Please feel free to call or email if you have any questions or require additional information.

Warm regards,
Birgit Isernhagen

Birgit Isernhagen [Beer-get  IIII-zèrn-hay-gan]
Birgit Isernhagen, M.Sc., EP (she/elle)
Program Planning and Evaluation Officer
Healthy Environments, Health Protection Services
Ottawa Public Health / Santé publique Ottawa
100 Constellation Dr., Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Tel./ tél.: (613) 315-4985
Birgit.Isernhagen at ottawa.ca<mailto:Birgit.Isernhagen at ottawa.ca>
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