BARMER special hotline: Vital tips against the heat wave!

BARMER special hotline: Vital tips against the heat wave!

Especially in times of extreme heat, it is important that we take care of our health. For this reason, BARMER has set up a free heat hotline for the population in Altenburger Land. How abg-net.de reports, the hotline has become an indispensable point of contact, especially for risk groups such as older people, children, pregnant women, the chronically ill and people who work outdoors.

The hotline can be reached daily from 6 a.m. to midnight on the free Teledoktor number 0800 84 84 111. There, callers receive individual, medically sound tips and important information about heat-related health risks and symptoms. Important recommendations are to drink enough fluids and ensure consistent UV protection.

Risks at high temperatures

Particularly in the current heat wave, which brings temperatures of up to 38 degrees in parts of Germany, health risks should not be underestimated. How swr.de reports, the extreme heat not only leads to complaints such as sunburn, sunstroke and heatstroke, but also has drastic consequences: In the summer months of 2023 and 2024, around 3,100 and 2,800 people died in Germany due to high temperatures. This particularly affects vulnerable groups such as small children, seniors and people with previous illnesses.

The social association VdK has also pointed out that many nursing facilities are inadequately prepared for extreme heat and is calling for structural measures and training for nursing staff. In order to minimize the risk for vulnerable people, effective heat protection is of great importance, like this Robert Koch Institute emphasized.

Measures for the population

To help people during these times, various organizations have taken measures. The city of Karlsruhe is planning a heat action plan that will help reduce temperatures, particularly in daycare centers and schools. The DRK also has mobile heat buses in use in Stuttgart and Freiburg, which provide drinking water and sun protection for people in need. Other initiatives include pilot projects for heat prevention specifically for older people.

The state government's recommendations include drinking enough fluids, darkening rooms during the day and shifting activities to the cooler morning or evening hours. This is particularly important because, according to the DAK study, 75% of children and young people in Baden-Württemberg suffer from the effects of heat, including sleep problems, headaches and fatigue. Raising awareness among employees in daycare centers and schools is therefore essential to ensure the protection of young people in particular.

Climate change will continue to increase the frequency and intensity of heat waves in the coming years. The RKI and other institutions are committed to effective monitoring and information in order to best protect the population.