498: Extreme Heat Ideas, Updated Healthy Aging Policy

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Thursday, September 7, 2023. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

AARON BERNSTEIN: 

We know there's already been a substantial increase in the risk of extreme heat due to climate change to date.

JOHNSON: 

Dr. Aaronn Bernstein with the CDC says the federal government has a website to share details of the nation's response to the extremely hot weather.

BERNSTEIN: 

At the federal government level, there's a lot going on. And I think there's been a particular focus in this administration on heat. You know, as an example of that, we have heat.gov, which is a website that is all about what we're doing on heat. So, if anyone wanted a one-stop shop, I would say go to heat.gov

JOHNSON: 

Bernstein points out many of the best heat fighting ideas have come from local agencies.

BERNSTEIN: 

So, I think it's important to acknowledge upfront that a tremendous amount has been done at state, local, tribal communities, on heat. And in fact, I would say that's where I see a lot of the incubation of some of the best ideas of how to deal with it.

JOHNSON: 

Looking ahead, Bernstein is excited about heat-related health alerts coming soon.

BERNSTEIN: 

We're developing a new system that actually is going to give those alerts in the context of the health outcomes in everybody's backyard, meaning, you know, 95 degrees in Boston is not the same as 95 degrees in Houston. They have very different health risks. And this system is going to give forecasts about heat that's coming and what it means to the community you live in.

JOHNSON: 

You can read more about the CDC's climate-related work by clicking the link in the show notes.

America is aging with about one in six people now age 65 or older. Dr. Ihsan Azzam is chief medical officer in Nevada. He says ASTHO's updated policy statement on healthy aging has several goals, including...

IHSAN AZZAM: 

We want to improve their access to high-quality preventive and curative health care services. We want to support also the family caregivers, strengthen geriatric and dementia care workforce by reducing physician shortage, increasing workforce cultural competence.

JOHNSON: 

The updated policy is important, but Azzam says agencies need to use it to inform better communication with the news media, policymakers, and the public.

AZZAM: 

We need to educate them that while chronic diseases are very prevalent among older age groups, these diseases are not unavoidable. We can prevent these diseases by ensuring successful aging and ensuring really that older adults are able to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

JOHNSON: 

Azzam adds the statement's Health in All Policies approach means all generations need to be part of the discussion.

AZZAM: 

While we are addressing or we want to focus on successful and healthy aging, we want to address the root causes of unsuccessful aging by focusing on younger age groups, focusing on the underserved or uninsured or underinsured population, mostly minority populations, and ensure equity for everyone.

JOHNSON: 

You can download a copy of ASTHO's updated policy statement using the link in the show notes.

Also today, is your agency ready to help those who need electricity for their medical devices if the power goes out because of a storm or other natural disaster? O'Keyla Cooper tells us about a toolkit that could help you check your plans.

O'KEYLA COOPER: 

Frequent power outages often triggered by natural disasters are a growing concern for individuals relying on life support and medical devices at home. Many turn to emergency services during outages, creating a strain on hospitals and shelters. A new ASTHO report offers solutions for jurisdictions to better support these vulnerable populations during power interruptions, highlighting the need for urgent progress in this area. You can access the full report by clicking the link in the show notes.

JOHNSON: 

Finally, this morning, keep tabs on legislative action on Capitol Hill by joining the list to receive ASTHO's Legislative Alert emails. You can sign up using the link in the show notes.

And if you have a minute, please take the time to follow us and give us a review. You can do both of those right now in this podcast player.

That'll do it for today. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Robert Johnson. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.