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GGD-richtlijn medische milieukunde. Gezondheidsrisico's van winterse omstandigheden
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Series / Report no.
RIVM rapport 609330009
Open Access
Type
Report
Language
nl
Date
2009-08-11
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
GGD-richtlijn medische milieukunde.
Gezondheidsrisico's van winterse omstandigheden
Translated Title
Environmental health guideline for Municipal
Health Services. Health risks of winter conditions
Published in
Abstract
Momenteel worden pas bij extreme winterse
omstandigheden maatregelen getroffen om gezondheidsrisico's van koude te
voorkomen. Aangezien in Europa de meeste 'seizoensdoden' in de
wintermaanden vallen, is het raadzaam eerder voorbereidingen te treffen. De
wintersterfte treedt in Nederland namelijk al op zodra de gemiddelde
(etmaal)temperatuur onder de 16,5 graden Celsius daalt. Oorzaken van de
oversterfte zijn hart- en vaatziekten, longziekten en psychische
stoornissen. Het aantal sterfgevallen kan mogelijk worden verminderd.
Daarom heeft het RIVM, in opdracht van het ministerie van VWS, met de GGD'en
de richtlijn 'Gezondheidsrisico's van winterse omstandigheden' ontwikkeld.
Hierbij wordt uitgegaan van de verwachte gevoelstemperatuur, de combinatie
van temperatuur en windsnelheid. De richtlijn concentreert zich vooral op
risicogroepen, zoals buitenslapers, 65-plussers, chronisch zieken (in het
bijzonder met hart- en vaatziekten en longaandoeningen) en kinderen.
De richtlijn helpt om de omvang van gezondheidsrisico's in schatten, bij de
publiekscommunicatie en bij te nemen maatregelen om gezondheidsrisico's te
voorkomen. Behalve een analyse van oorzaken van wintersterfte bevat de
richtlijn aanbevelingen om wintersterfte te voorkomen. De adviezen zijn
vooral gericht op de risicogroepen, maar er zijn ook aanbevelingen voor de
algemene bevolking opgenomen. Er zijn twee momenten om burgers te
informeren: preventief, voorafgaand aan het stookseizoen (rond 1 oktober),
en reactief, bij gezondheidsbedreigende winterse weersomstandigheden.
Voorbeelden van specifieke reactieve adviezen zijn extra maatregelen voor
buitenslapers en behoud van nutsvoorzieningen voor wanbetalers. Ook kan de
mantelzorg beter worden geinformeerd om ouderen voor te bereiden op de koude
weersomstandigheden.
De GGD adviseert gemeenten en informeert burgers en zorgverleners. De
richtlijn ondersteunt de rol van de GGD bij deze
problematiek.
At present, measures for preventing health risks as a direct result of cold weather are only taken in extreme winter conditions. Considering that most 'seasonal deaths' in Europe occur during the winter months, it is advisable to take precautions in advance. For example, in the Netherlands, winter mortality starts to occur as soon as the average temperature per 24 hours drops below 16.5 C. The causes of this so-called excess winter mortality include: cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and mental disorders. It may, however, be possible to reduce the number of deaths that occur. For this purpose, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) commissioned the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Municipal Health Services (GGD) to draw up a guideline on the health risks associated with winter conditions. This is based on the premise of the expected wind chill factor - the combination of air temperature and wind speed. The guideline focuses in particular on risk groups, such as those of the homeless, older people (65 and over) the chronically ill (especially those with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions) and children. The guideline is intended to help in the estimation of the extent of health risks, communication to the public and in procedures intended to prevent health risks from occurring. As well as an analysis of the causes of winter mortality, the guideline contains recommendations for its prevention. The advice is particularly aimed at the risk groups; it also contains recommendations for the general population. There are two key moments for informing citizens: preventively - prior to the heating season (around October 1), and reactively - during health-threatening winter weather conditions. Examples of specific reactive advice are, extra measures for the homeless and retaining mains services for people who have difficulty making payments. Furthermore, informal carers could be better informed on how to prepare older people for cold weather conditions. The GGD advises local authorities and informs citizens and professional care providers. The guideline supports the role of the GGD in this problem area.
At present, measures for preventing health risks as a direct result of cold weather are only taken in extreme winter conditions. Considering that most 'seasonal deaths' in Europe occur during the winter months, it is advisable to take precautions in advance. For example, in the Netherlands, winter mortality starts to occur as soon as the average temperature per 24 hours drops below 16.5 C. The causes of this so-called excess winter mortality include: cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and mental disorders. It may, however, be possible to reduce the number of deaths that occur. For this purpose, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) commissioned the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Municipal Health Services (GGD) to draw up a guideline on the health risks associated with winter conditions. This is based on the premise of the expected wind chill factor - the combination of air temperature and wind speed. The guideline focuses in particular on risk groups, such as those of the homeless, older people (65 and over) the chronically ill (especially those with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions) and children. The guideline is intended to help in the estimation of the extent of health risks, communication to the public and in procedures intended to prevent health risks from occurring. As well as an analysis of the causes of winter mortality, the guideline contains recommendations for its prevention. The advice is particularly aimed at the risk groups; it also contains recommendations for the general population. There are two key moments for informing citizens: preventively - prior to the heating season (around October 1), and reactively - during health-threatening winter weather conditions. Examples of specific reactive advice are, extra measures for the homeless and retaining mains services for people who have difficulty making payments. Furthermore, informal carers could be better informed on how to prepare older people for cold weather conditions. The GGD advises local authorities and informs citizens and professional care providers. The guideline supports the role of the GGD in this problem area.
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