Heat and heatwaves can affect our health and the health of people we care for in different ways.
Some people are more at risk depending on where they live, the work they do, and other considerations. It is important to:
Changes to the body during pregnancy make it more difficult to lower body temperature in hot weather and increases in blood volume and the need for water increase the risk of dehydration.
Working outdoors during hot weather increases heat exposure and can affect all people, regardless of physical fitness. Being physically active and wearing protective clothing and other personal protective equipment can further increase the risk of heat-related illness.
Being socially isolated can increase the risk of someone that is affected by heat having a worse outcome because there may not be someone to help them. Also, someone may not recognise the signs or symptoms of a heat-related health problem in themselves and therefore not take action to prevent their body from overheating or becoming severely dehydrated. If you know someone who may be experiencing social isolation, you can take some simple steps to help keep them safe during hot weather.
Being homeless can increase a person’s exposure to heat in hot weather and limit the ways that a person can protect themselves. People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are at higher risk of heat-related illness due to less access to cool places and water and increased chance of having other health conditions, including mental health conditions.
Although everyone can be impacted by hot weather, this is less in a person who is used to the local weather conditions. This is known as acclimatisation. This is why heatwaves early in the summer tend to have a larger effect on communities than heatwaves later in summer. People who recently arrive from a cooler climate can be especially vulnerable to the effects of heat.
For help and support in your language you can call the Australian Government's Translating and Interpreting Service.
Speak to your doctor or for health information and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week phone healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
