National plan for preventive actions due to high temperatures

Since 2004, the Ministry of Health has launched the National plan for preventive actions for the effects of excess temperatures on health. The objective of this plan, which is activated every summer between the months of June and September, is to reduce the impact on the health of the population as a result of excess temperatures.

It establishes the measures to reduce the effects associated with excessive temperatures and organizes the coordination of the State Administration institutions involved, as well as details the actions that can be carried out by the Autonomous Communities and the Local Administration based on the risk levels assigned based on the temperatures.

Exposure to high environmental temperatures can cause an insufficient response of the human thermoregulatory system and excessive heat can alter our vital functions if the body is not able to compensate for variations in body temperature. A very high temperature produces loss of water and electrolytes that are necessary for the normal functioning of the different organs and in some people with certain chronic diseases, undergoing certain medical treatments and with disabilities that limit their autonomy, these thermoregulation mechanisms may be decompensated.

From a biological approach, exposure to excessive temperatures can cause health problems such as cramps, dehydration, sunstroke or heat stroke, therefore, it is worth remembering that normally a healthy individual tolerates a variation in their internal temperature of approximately 3ºC without their physical and mental conditions being altered significantly, but above 37ºC a physiological defense reaction occurs, with older people and children being more sensitive to these temperature changes. temperature.

Finally, it should be noted that the Health website will update a map daily with information on the levels of health risk due to heat in each of the 52 provincial capitals.