Developing a harmonized heat warning and information system for Ontario: a case study in collaboration.
This article describes the collaborative process and key steps in developing a harmonized Heat Warning and Information System (HWIS) for Ontario.
SETTING: Public health units across Ontario, Canada, collaborated with the federal and provincial government to develop the harmonized HWIS for Ontario.
INTERVENTION: In 2011, stakeholders identified the need to develop a harmonized system across Ontario to improve heat warning services, warning criteria, and health messaging. Through a 5-year process facilitated by a non-governmental organization, the three levels of government collaborated to establish the Ontario HWIS.
OUTCOMES: The province-wide HWIS was implemented in 2016 with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's release of the harmonized HWIS Standard Operating Practice, which outlined the notification and warning process.
IMPLICATIONS: The lessons learned could help spur action in other provinces and jurisdictions internationally in the development of similar health evidence-based warning systems, including in particular those for protecting public health during extreme heat events.
PMID: 32524507 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Canadian Journal of Public Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Henderson D, Aubin L, Behan K, Chen H, Doyle H, Gower S, MacDonald M, Mee C, Richardson GRA, Rochon G, Shnabel M, Storfer J, Yagouti A, Yusa A Tags: Can J Public Health Source Type: research
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