| Publication date | April 22, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Sector | Life of Citizenry and Urban Life |
| Region name | Kyushu |
The average annual temperature of Kyushu region and Yamaguchi prefecture has been rising at a rate of 1.73℃ per 100 years due to global warming, urbanization, and natural fluctuations (Note 1). In northern Kyushu, the annual number of days when the maximum daily temperature exceeded 30 degrees Celsius has increased by 3.2 days per decade (Note 2).
In response to these rising temperatures, local authorities in the Kyushu region are taking measures to mitigate against heat stroke. The websites of local governments provide information on heat stroke, including symptoms, first aid, preventive measures, statistics on related ambulance callouts and so on. In Fukuoka prefecture, online videos are distributed to raise awareness of the issue (Fig. 1). In Kumamoto prefecture, health information leaflets have been distributed to residents of evacuation centers, emergency housing, public housing, etc. for the benefit of victims of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake and the heavy rains of July 2020, and local authorities are working to strengthen preventive measures against heat stroke.
In 2020, with the emergence of Covid-19, the national "New Lifestyles" initiative promoted ① social distancing, ② wearing masks, ③ washing hands and avoiding the "Three Cs” (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings), the three basics of infection prevention. In this context however, there are concerns that susceptibility to heat from wearing masks, the obstruction to expelling heat through exhalation, and the delay in noticing dehydration due to impaired thirst response may all contribute to an increase in heat stroke. Local authorities are therefore advocating additional measures against heat stroke as part of the "New Lifestyles" program. Some municipalities use materials from Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, while others, like Oita prefecture, use their own mascot characters to make information more accessible (Fig. 2).
Through prefectural websites, and those of associated organizations and municipalities, it is expected that there will be increased awareness in the region of measures that can be taken against heat stroke, particularly in vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
Fig. 1 Awareness-raising through online video programming
(Source: Fukuoka Internet TV "Prevention of heat stroke during sports activities")
Fig. 2 Public awareness promotion materials using region-specific mascot characters
(Source: Oita prefecture website: "Be aware of heat stroke! – also in order to prevent spread the Covid-19 infection!")
Footnote
(Note 1) Statistical period: 1898-2019
(Note 2) Statistical period: 1963 to 2019
