Health

Discussion

June 29, 2012

Extreme heat in Georgia raises health concerns

Submitted by the Georgia Department of Public Health

ATLANTA — With dangerously high temperatures forecasted throughout the state for the next several days, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is cautioning residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and/or prolonged exposure to the sun.

“More people die from heat than from any other weather-related event or natural disaster,” said DPH Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D.  “We’re sounding the alarm now and we’re sounding it loudly.”

Poor air quality in north Georgia will make the outdoor environment even more hazardous, especially for small children and the elderly, as well as those who work outdoors or those suffering from certain medical conditions. DPH encourages residents to observe important safety guidelines throughout the period of extreme heat:

Stay indoors, in air-conditioned buildings and avoid direct sunlight

Never leave a child or person in a parked vehicle – not even for a moment

Limit outdoor activity when the sun is most dangerous from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bathe in cool water to reduce body temperature

Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or liquids containing caffeine or sugar

Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing

Check on at-risk friends, family and neighbors at least twice a day

DPH supports Ready Georgia, a statewide emergency preparedness campaign created in partnership with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security.  Visit Ready Georgia’s website (http://www.ready.ga.gov/) to create an online plan and profile.

And download Ready Georgia’s free mobile app (http://www.ready.ga.gov/mobileapp) for geo-located alerts and preparedness information.

Residents should contact their local/county health department or emergency management agency for additional information.

 

About the Georgia Department of Public Health

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters from a health perspective. In 2011, the General Assembly restored DPH to its own state agency after more than 30 years of consolidation with other departments. At the state level, DPH functions through numerous divisions, sections, programs and offices. Locally, DPH funds and collaborates with Georgia's 159 county health departments and 18 public health districts. Through the changes, the mission has remained constant – to protect the lives of all Georgians. Today, DPH’s main functions include: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records, and the State Public Health Laboratory. For more information about DPH, visit www.health.state.ga.us.

 

 

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