Heat alert and response systems in Canada: A check-up on preparedness

Abstract

Climate change is driving an increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme heat events in Canada, posing serious threats to public health. Preparing for extreme heat across the country, is now an essential part of climate adaptation. This presentation draws on findings from a pan-Canadian review of Heat Alert and Response Systems (HARS), which assessed their development and implementation across provincial, territorial, and regional public health authorities. Through a mixed-methods approach, combining web scans, national surveys, and key informant interviews, the review uncovered wide variation in the presence, transparency, and operationalization of HARS. While many jurisdictions have plans or heat-health messaging in place, critical components such as community response, pre-season engagement, and system evaluation are often limited or absent. This presentation will highlight the reported barriers to advancing HARS, including limited resources, unclear roles and responsibilities, and communication challenges, as well as practical solutions and examples of promising practices to support more effective and equitable heat preparedness across Canada.

Speakers

Rebecca Goulding Ph.D. (she/her) is an Environmental Health and Knowledge Translation Scientist at the NCCEH. Rebecca is involved in knowledge translation and mobilization of a range of environmental health topics, including climate change driven events such as extreme heat and emergency preparedness. Rebecca is an expert in evidence synthesis, systematic reviews, and medical science communication, with a strong background in health economics and outcomes research consulting. She has a PhD in Genetics from the University of British Columbia and an MSc in Oncology and Hematology Research from Trinity College Dublin. Her interdisciplinary research experience includes a postdoctoral fellowship at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, where she studied access to university-based innovation and intellectual property policy, as well as a role as a primary health care research associate in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC.
 

Melissa Gorman MPH (she/her) is the Senior Heat Action Lead in the Heat Action Division of the Climate Change and Health Office at Health Canada. In her role, she supports Provinces, Territories, and regional health authorities with developing or enhancing Heat Alert and Response Systems (HARS). She holds a Master of Public Health in Occupational and Environmental Health from the University of Alberta. She has over 15 years experience working in the field of environmental public health and has co-authored many publications tied to heat health communication. 

Related Resources

• Evidence Review - Heat alert and response systems in Canada: A check-up on preparedness