The Ministry of Health and Social Policies of the Government of La Rioja, through the General Directorate of Public Health, Consumption and Care, activates until September 30 the ‘Alert, Prevention and Control Plan for the effects of excess temperatures In the health’. The objective of this initiative is to raise awareness among the general population about the risks of exposure to excessive temperatures and, especially, among minors, the elderly, patients with underlying chronic pathologies and people who, for work reasons, sports or leisure activities suffer from excessive exposure to extreme temperatures.
Health offers recommendations to the population to enjoy a healthy summer, especially in these days when excess temperatures are expected. In this way, sun exposure must be carried out responsibly, choosing the most appropriate hours, using high sun protection cream, regardless of skin type, frequent hydration and use of glasses, caps, visors and clothing. light.
We must also promote an adequate diet, especially by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, avoiding heavy and slowly digestible meals, consuming freshly cooked foods and facilitating their correct conservation in the refrigerator, as well as maintaining continuous hydration. Regarding physical activity, it is recommended to avoid outdoor activities during the middle of the day. If you exercise, do it first thing in the morning and, above all, it is necessary to cool off, hydrate and wear appropriate clothing.
Regarding environmental conditions, it is advisable to keep the home cool, with the closing of windows and blinds, awnings and curtains lowered in those areas exposed to the sun to protect the home from the heat; stay in the coolest, most ventilated or conditioned rooms of the house; ventilate the home at night, when temperatures have dropped and use cooling devices, among other measures.
Regarding personal care to protect yourself from the heat, the need to drink water without waiting until you are thirsty stands out, being careful not to do so from sources or supplies that are not sanitarily controlled, and wearing light, light-colored clothing, avoiding synthetic fabrics. In this sense, hats and caps are the best options to protect yourself from the sun. If you take medications chronically, you should consult your doctor, since there are photosensitive medications.
During these dates we must take extreme care of the elderly, ensuring that they are hydrated and protected from the sun and heat. We should not leave infants or elderly people inside parked vehicles or cars. Infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses are more sensitive to the sun and heat and, therefore, should take extreme protection measures.
Surveillance, prevention and c actionscontrol of the effects of heat
One of the objectives of the Plan is to try to reduce the impact of extreme heat temperatures on the health of the population of La Rioja through surveillance, prevention and control actions of the effects of heat on morbidity and mortality, since this increases during excess heat due to decompensation of respiratory, circulatory, ischemic heart diseases, diabetes, cerebrovascular accidents, etc.
Until 2022, the maximum and minimum threshold temperatures have been 36oC and 18oC, respectively, but from 2023, the criteria for assigning health risk levels for situations of excess temperature are based on a decision algorithm based on: the difference in the maximum predicted temperature and the threshold temperature (only when the maximum predicted temperature is greater than the established threshold temperature), with a persistence over time of 3 days; The resulting value will be multiplied by a “risk factor 1” that will vary depending on the province. And, finally, the resulting value of the three days is added and the result obtained will decide the level of risk.
During these months, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Dependency, Disability and the Elderly, the detection of people at risk will be launched for their assessment, care, treatment or admission to appropriate places for people who require it. Censuses of the most vulnerable social groups will be updated to facilitate intervention when necessary. Immediate alert measures will be adopted through notices to the population about preventive measures against exposure to excessive temperatures and this information will be disseminated in the media.
In addition, reports will be prepared on the possible impact of temperatures on morbidity and mortality if alert levels 1, 2 and 3 are reached. If the situation worsens and temperature levels remain abnormally high, emergency measures will be established. emergency that are considered appropriate for
reduce or avoid health impacts on the population. In turn, the Territorial Civil Protection Plan of the Autonomous Community of La Rioja (PLATERCAR) will be activated in order to face this emergency situation. In addition, the participation of the Civil Protection services and all the means available to the Autonomous Community may be requested to address these situations, among others.
