In a proactive move to protect vulnerable people from heat waves, Quebec is launching an automated alert system designed to warn residents ahead of upcoming extreme weather events.
In a release published Monday, Quebec’s health ministry says subscribers will receive a message by telephone, email or text message — depending on the person’s preference — a day before a heat wave to warn them of its arrival.
The new service, dubbed “Conseils climat,” which translates to “climate tips,” will be available to all but is aimed at helping more vulnerable groups when temperatures soar.
This includes those aged 65 and over, people with chronic illnesses (diabetes, hypertension, heart, lung or kidney problems, etc.), and children aged five and under (with the system registered through their caretakers).
Extreme heat causes nearly 500 deaths per year in Quebec, report finds
Extreme heat has a major impact on Quebec’s health-care system, according to a report published last summer by the National Institute for Scientific Research (INRS) that shed light on various heat-related mortality and morbidity statistics in the province.
The INRS findings revealed that high temperatures during the months of May to September in Quebec are linked to an estimated 470 deaths, 225 hospitalizations, 36,000 ER visits and 7,200 ambulance trips.
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The study said the province’s 811 Info-Santé health line also deals with a surge in calls, reporting an estimated 15,000 heat-related calls during those months.
The report says the burden on the health-care system falls on five per cent of the hottest days from May to September. An estimated 200 deaths, 170 hospitalizations, 6,200 ER visits, 1,500 ambulance trips and 3,300 calls to Info-Santé are due to the heat during that time period.
Extreme heat waves are defined as high temperatures that have a statistically significant effect on health and last at least three consecutive days.
“Knowing that extreme heat will be amplified by climate change, our team hopes that these results will lead to more action to better protect the Quebec population against the effects of heat,” wrote the report’s author, Jérémie Boudreault. Canadian scientists have warned that the country’s future includes longer and more intense summer heat waves, which can also directly impact people’s mental health.
The ministry says it is exploring the possibility of expanding the system to include alerts for other climate-related threats such as smog and high pollen levels.
The service is free and residents can sign up by creating an account online or by calling 1-866-982-7282.
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