Keeping communities healthy during extreme heat

March 2, 2022
Pictured above: a 2019 community workshop on extreme heat

 

It might feel like the middle of winter, but Interior Health's Healthy Communities team is hard at work helping communities prepare for the extreme heat of summer. 

 

The interior region of B.C. is home to some of the hottest communities in Canada. Current research tells us that temperatures will continue to rise, and extreme heat events will last longer in the future. 

Although each community had a different experience, the June 2021 'heat dome' impacted all of us. Extremely hot temperatures lasted for several days, and overnight temperatures remained high, offering little relief from the heat. Times like these of intense heat with no break can have many negative impacts on health, particularly for elderly people and those with existing chronic conditions. Preparing in advance for these extreme heat events will help to keep people in our communities healthy and safe during extreme weather.

 

Community partners are essential

 

 

Recent events have taught us that community partners such as local governments play a vital role when it comes to preparing communities for heat events and protecting the health of citizens. 

Over the past four years, Interior Health has received grant funding from Health Canada and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions to work with communities and help them understand the health impacts of extreme heat.

Since 2018, Interior Health has developed and delivered workshops focused on responding to extreme heat. These community-focused workshops took place in Kelowna, Ashcroft, Osoyoos, Lytton, and Kamloops. 

These community engagements resulted in the development of a Heat Alert & Response Planning Toolkit for Interior BC Communities to provide community partners with practical information and resources they can use when developing and implementing strategies to respond to extreme heat. 
 


About the Healthy Communities program

We work with local governments, communities, school districts/schools and families in the Southern Interior for better health and well-being. Through engagement and advocacy we influence equity, public policies, physical and social environments and protecting the public. We know that it takes a collaborative effort to address the social determinants of health and other factors that keep us well, and health cannot be achieved by one sector alone.

Learn more about Healthy Communities

Stories@IH

Read our latest stories

5 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

Alison, a harm reduction coordinator with IH, explores how stigma kept her from seeking the help she needed. Read about her journey to wellness.

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Kim’s love of science, curiosity, and empathy for people are what drew her into nursing. Today, she’s a member of IH’s harm reduction team.

7 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

Whether you need mental health or substance use services, help is in your community. Access it in a facility, in-person or virtually.

3 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Aug. 31 marks IOAD, a day to remember those lost to the toxic drug supply. Explore events in your region and show your support for those still with us.

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Expressions from the Front Lines: A Journey through the Toxic Drug Crisis is a unique art exhibition featuring the work of Interior Health Peers.

5 Minute Read
Community & Culture

STAY CONNECTED

Receive news and alert posts, and Stories@IH blog posts, right to your inbox!

mail