Senate passes a heat action plan for Bremen and Bremerhaven

Heat Action Plan Bremen-Bremerhaven: A Comprehensive Approach to Protecting Vulnerable Groups

The Heat Action Plan Bremen-Bremerhaven, developed by the Department of Social Epidemiology at the University of Bremen, focuses on ensuring health equity and protecting vulnerable groups during heatwaves. The plan, adopted by the Bremen Senate on September 10, takes a research-based and equity-driven approach.

The Heat Action Plan outlines 26 measures to protect people, particularly those at risk from heat, and identifies spatial priorities. These spatial priorities include city districts with many people at risk from heat and urban areas that heat up particularly strongly in the summer.

The plan targets specific vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, people with pre-existing health conditions, pregnant women, infants, young children, people particularly exposed to heat due to their profession, those living in communal accommodations, and those without sufficient financial means to adapt their apartment climatically. However, it does not specify who is considered a vulnerable group.

In addition to protecting vulnerable groups, the Heat Action Plan includes further measures to better meet the challenges of the climate crisis. These measures include the planting of more trees and other plants to help keep buildings cooler in the summer heat, as well as the provision of cool, publicly accessible places during a heatwave.

The plan was developed in collaboration with various administrative departments, health and social care actors, doctors' chambers, pharmacists' chambers, care associations, and health insurance companies. This collaboration aims to ensure a comprehensive and effective approach to addressing the challenges posed by heatwaves.

Moreover, the plan emphasizes health equity, environmental justice, and sex/gender-sensitive public health research. It addresses social inequalities that affect vulnerability to heat by integrating environmental justice principles and equal opportunity considerations.

The population will receive information about health risks associated with heat on a portal, and playgrounds in daycare centers could be shaded as part of the Heat Action Plan. Additionally, caregivers and volunteer helpers will be offered opportunities for further training.

However, the specific operational measures of the Heat Action Plan, such as early warning systems, public cooling centers, outreach campaigns, or emergency procedures specific to Bremen-Bremerhaven, are not detailed in the search results. To learn about concrete heatwave protective interventions (e.g., hydration stations, cooling shelters, communication strategies), contacting the Department of Social Epidemiology at the University of Bremen or reviewing official Bremen-Bremerhaven public health resources would be necessary.

Senator Kathrin Moosdorf emphasizes that Bremen is already implementing measures to protect against heat, including informing the population, installing drinking fountains, and planting trees in the city. The Heat Action Plan is a crucial step in ensuring that Bremen and Bremerhaven are prepared to protect vulnerable groups during heatwaves.

The Heat Action Plan Bremen-Bremerhaven, a comprehensive approach, prioritizes science and research-based measures to protect vulnerable groups from heatwaves.
The plan advances workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness by addressing heat risks among specific groups like pregnant women, elderly individuals, and those working outdoors.
Fitness-and-exercise and skin-care become crucial considerations in the plan, encouraging strategies that mitigate heat-related strain and promote proper hydration.
To tackle climate-change challenges, the Heat Action Plan incorporates environmental-science recommendations, such as planting trees for urban cooling.
Mental-health, mens-health, and womens-health are recognized as essential components of the plan, addressing respective risks and needs within these groups during heatwaves.
Therapies-and-treatments and nutrition also come under the plan, as they may contribute to heat resilience and improved overall health in vulnerable populations.
Lastly, aging is another factor considered in the Heat Action Plan, ensuring that it addresses the unique challenges faced by the elderly during extreme heat conditions.