Evaluating a heat-health action plan in rural Mexico to manage effects of heat

Rural community members in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness (HRI) due to their reduced access to healthcare, significant numbers of outdoor workers namely in agriculture, aging demographics, and higher rates of poverty and marginalization. At the same time, Action plans that include an early warning system, capacity building for healthcare workers to identify, prevent, or treat heat-related illness, and information dissemination have been shown to consistently positive results that aide the public in understanding and evaluating their own risks and take the appropriate steps for prevention and preparedness. The goal of this project, therefore, is to reduce HRI and mortality rates in our rural partner communities in southern Mexico through the development of a community-based heat action plan. Working in six rural communities of similar size and socio-economic profiles, our team will co-develop, test, and evaluate a locally relevant, culturally appropriate, user-driven heat-health action plan consisting of an 1) early warning and surveillance system, 2) capacity building and network for healthcare workers to identify and respond to HRI, and 3) prevention education and communication tools to address local heat-health risk management challenges including an inter-community information sharing network and communication platform.