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(CNSNews.com) - As part of its efforts to address climate change the Obama administration has designated May 23-27, 2016, as Extreme Heat Week.
According to the White House, the five-day span is dedicated to having federal agencies work with communities to “enhance preparedness for extreme heat events.”
In recognition, the government has launched the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) website this week. The website was created through a joint effort by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“NIHHIS is an integrated system that builds understanding of the problem of extreme heat, defines demand for climate services that enhance societal resilience, develops science-based products and services from a sustained climate science research program, and improves capacity, communication, and societal understanding of the problem in order to reduce morbidity and mortality due to extreme heat,” the website says.
The website offers heat forecasts, links to information on extreme-heat related health effects and an extreme heat prevention guide.
Among the “Extreme Heat Prevention Guide Highlights” from the CDC are:
- Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. During conditions of extreme heat, spend time in locations with air-conditioning such as shopping malls, public libraries, or public health sponsored heat-relief shelters in your area.
- Get informed. Listen to local news and weather channels or contact your local public health department during extreme heat conditions for health and safety updates
- Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages and increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level.
The White House will also host a webinar on Thursday in recognition of the week, “featuring a panel of experts speaking about the growing risks of extreme heat and strategies that can be taken in communities to reduce health impacts.”