Dr. Hess awarded grant from Wellcome Trust
Dr. Jeremy Hess and his co-PI, Greg Wellenius from Brown University, were awarded a grant from the Wellcome Trust to evaluate heat action plan effectiveness. The grant will run from 2019 to 2022.
Heat action plans are a combination of forecasts, health communication, and other activities to reduce heat exposure and increase early recognition and treatment of heat illness for vulnerable populations. They appear to be effective in reducing morbidity and mortality, but it is not clear what elements are most important or if they are more effective with particular populations and health outcomes. Their research will help clarify these issues for heat early warnings issued by the National Weather Service and action plans administered at the local level across the US.