In response to this: without question this is as serious a problem as cold
temperaturesin winter months. In fact, studies show that the majority of
homeless deaths do not, I emphasize, do not occur in winter months. There
are the obvious suggestions of lots of liquids, hats, sunscreen, air
conditioned spaces, etc.  However, without adequate shelter, both emergency
shelter that has air cooling devices or permanent housing, this problem will
not go away. The Homeless Subcommittee of the Toronto Advisory Committee on
Homelessness is asking for a report from Dr. Sheila Basrur the Medical
Officer of Health on the possibility of a Hot Weather Alert, whereby in
hot/humid days, emergency locations that are air-conditioned would be opened
and made available for those who are homeless or living in hot rooming houses.

Please note, I do not work at Street Health. I am a street nurse and work at
Queen West Community Health Centre. I run a Nursing Outreach Program there.
I can be reached at 703-8482(117). Thanks.

10:30 AM 6/4/98 -0400, you wrote:
>This message is being cross-posted from Community-Health list as it
>touches on an issue that has been discussed on Click4HP - working with
>homeless people.
>Will "education materials" be enough to respond to problems of extreme
>temperatures for people without the basic necessities of life? Perhaps a
>variety of strategies and approaches may be suggested to this person.
>The valuable work that has been done by Street Health in Toronto (where
>Cathy Crowe writes from) comes to mind as 'an organization to be
>contacted for information'.
>
> In addition, I would welcome a discussion here on appropriate
>strategies in health promotion.  Recently there has been attention to
>"settings" approaches to health promotion (workplaces, schools, the
>state, "communities") - but very little discussion on the 'settings' of
>the street, or  rural, northern or isolated community or participation
>of the people involved.
>
>Looking forward to a lively discussion!
>
>Alison Stirling
><[log in to unmask]>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Josefine Wendel [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 1998 12:43 PM
>> Subject:      education materials addressing heat stroke, heat
>> exposure
>>
>> I received this request from a program working with the homeless.
>> Given
>> the current high outside temperatures in their area, they are looking
>> for education materials with instructions for their clients on how to
>> prevent overheating, heat stroke, dehydration and such.
>> Does anyone know of such materials, or has suggestions on
>> organizations
>> to be contacted for information?
>>
>> your help is greatly appreciated
>>
>> Josefine Wendel, MS, RD
>> [[log in to unmask]]
>
>