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Perceptions of Heat-Susceptibility in Older Persons: Barriers to Adaptation

Author

Listed:
  • Alana Hansen

    (Discipline of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Level 9, 10 Pulteney Street, Mail Drop DX650 207, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Peng Bi

    (Discipline of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Level 9, 10 Pulteney Street, Mail Drop DX650 207, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Monika Nitschke

    (South Australian Department of Health, PO Box 6, Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Dino Pisaniello

    (Discipline of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Level 9, 10 Pulteney Street, Mail Drop DX650 207, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Jonathan Newbury

    (Spencer Gulf Rural Health School, University of South Australia, Box 3200, Port Lincoln, SA 5606, Australia)

  • Alison Kitson

    (School of Nursing, Eleanor Harrald Building, Royal Adelaide Hospital, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

Abstract

The increase in the frequency of very hot weather that is a predicted consequence of climate change poses an emerging threat to public health. Extreme heat can be harmful to the health of older persons who are known to be amongst the most vulnerable in the community. This study aimed to investigate factors influencing the ability of older persons to adapt to hot conditions, and barriers to adaptation. A qualitative study was conducted in Adelaide, Australia, involving focus groups and interviews with stakeholders including key personnel involved in aged care, community services, government sectors, emergency services and policy making. Findings revealed a broad range of factors that underpin the heat-susceptibility of the aged. These were categorized into four broad themes relating to: physiology and an age-related decline in health; socioeconomic factors, particularly those influencing air conditioning use; psychological issues including fears and anxieties about extreme heat; and adaptive strategies that could be identified as both enablers and barriers. As a consequence, the ability and willingness to undertake behavior change during heatwaves can therefore be affected in older persons. Additionally, understanding the control panels on modern air conditioners can present challenges for the aged. Improving heat-health knowledge and addressing the social and economic concerns of the older population will assist in minimizing heat-related morbidity and mortality in a warming climate.

Suggested Citation

  • Alana Hansen & Peng Bi & Monika Nitschke & Dino Pisaniello & Jonathan Newbury & Alison Kitson, 2011. "Perceptions of Heat-Susceptibility in Older Persons: Barriers to Adaptation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:8:y:2011:i:12:p:4714-4728:d:15280
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pierre Valois & Denis Talbot & Maxime Caron & Marie-Pier Carrier & Alexandre J. S. Morin & Jean-Sébastien Renaud & Johann Jacob & Pierre Gosselin, 2017. "Development and Validation of a Behavioural Index for Adaptation to High Summer Temperatures among Urban Dwellers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, July.
    2. An Vu & Shannon Rutherford & Dung Phung, 2019. "Heat Health Prevention Measures and Adaptation in Older Populations—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Monika Nitschke & Alana Hansen & Peng Bi & Dino Pisaniello & Jonathan Newbury & Alison Kitson & Graeme Tucker & Jodie Avery & Eleonora Dal Grande, 2013. "Risk Factors, Health Effects and Behaviour in Older People during Extreme Heat: A Survey in South Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Jing Li & Xin Xu & Guoyong Ding & Yun Zhao & Ruixia Zhao & Fuzhong Xue & Jing Li & Jinghong Gao & Jun Yang & Baofa Jiang & Qiyong Liu, 2016. "A Cross-Sectional Study of Heat Wave-Related Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among the Public in the Licheng District of Jinan City, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-16, June.
    5. Sharon L. Campbell & Carina C. Anderson & Amanda J. Wheeler & Stephen Cook & Tim Muster & Fay H. Johnston, 2022. "Managing Extreme Heat and Smoke: A Focus Group Study of Vulnerable People in Darwin, Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, October.
    6. Bo Yang & Ming-Han Li & Shujuan Li, 2013. "Design-with-Nature for Multifunctional Landscapes: Environmental Benefits and Social Barriers in Community Development," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-26, October.
    7. Nanda Kaji Budhathoki & Kerstin K. Zander, 2019. "Socio-Economic Impact of and Adaptation to Extreme Heat and Cold of Farmers in the Food Bowl of Nepal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-24, May.
    8. Joost van Hoof & Helen Bennetts & Alana Hansen & Jan K. Kazak & Veronica Soebarto, 2019. "The Living Environment and Thermal Behaviours of Older South Australians: A Multi-Focus Group Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-19, March.
    9. Fariha Hasan & Shayan Marsia & Kajal Patel & Priyanka Agrawal & Junaid Abdul Razzak, 2021. "Effective Community-Based Interventions for the Prevention and Management of Heat-Related Illnesses: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-14, August.
    10. Haipeng Li & Jiabao Guan & Hui Ye & Haichen Yang, 2019. "A Survey of Rural Residents’ Perception and Response to Health Risks from Hot Weather in Ethnic Minority Areas in Southwest China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-10, June.
    11. Susan Williams & Peng Bi & Jonathan Newbury & Guy Robinson & Dino Pisaniello & Arthur Saniotis & Alana Hansen, 2013. "Extreme Heat and Health: Perspectives from Health Service Providers in Rural and Remote Communities in South Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-19, October.
    12. Anna Malmquist & Mattias Hjerpe & Erik Glaas & Hulda Karlsson & Tina Lassi, 2022. "Elderly People’s Perceptions of Heat Stress and Adaptation to Heat: An Interview Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, March.
    13. Derick A. Akompab & Peng Bi & Susan Williams & Janet Grant & Iain A. Walker & Martha Augoustinos, 2012. "Awareness of and Attitudes towards Heat Waves within the Context of Climate Change among a Cohort of Residents in Adelaide, Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-17, December.
    14. Kathryn Glass & Peter W. Tait & Elizabeth G. Hanna & Keith Dear, 2015. "Estimating Risks of Heat Strain by Age and Sex: A Population-Level Simulation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-15, May.
    15. Lin Zhou & Zheng Xin & Li Bai & Fangjun Wan & Yongming Wang & Shaowei Sang & Shouqin Liu & Ji Zhang & Qiyong Liu, 2014. "Perceptions of Heat Risk to Health: A Qualitative Study of Professional Bus Drivers and Their Managers in Jinan, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-16, January.
    16. Hui Ye & Juan Ma & Yang Wu & Ying Zhang, 2018. "Perceptions of Health Risks from Hot Weather, and Coping Behaviors among Ethnic Minority Groups in Mountain Areas of China: A Case Study in the Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-9, November.

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