What to know
HEAT Use these questions with your patients to assess health risk from heat or poor air quality. Then, create a Heat Action Plan with your patient.
Assess these risk factors
Housing & Indoor Environment
- Does your patient have stable housing?
- Do they have access to cooling (air conditioning, fans, cooling center)?
- Can they check and control the indoor temperature?
- Do they live in heat-prone housing (e.g. upper floors)?
- Are they exposed to poor air quality indoors (mold, smoke)? Do they have access to an air filter?
Emergency Preparedness
- Does your patient have someone to check on them during hot days?
- Does their mobility limit them from seeking a cool location?
- Do they have a plan to manage electric medical devices or refrigerated medications during a power outage?
Awareness of Health Risks
- Does your patient use the weather forecast and the HeatRisk tool to check on actions to take to reduce health harm from heat?
- Do they know if their medications can lead to complications in hot weather? Do they have a heat and medication plan with their doctor?
Temperature & Outdoor Environment
- How much time do they spend outdoors on hot days?
- Are they exposed to poor air quality outdoors (wildfires, roadways)?
- Do they have allergies to grass, weeds, or tree pollen, which can be worse in hot weather?
Content Source:
National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)