15 Mar 2023

Heat stress scale similar to a UV index could be lifesaving

From Nine To Noon, 10:05 am on 15 March 2023
Sunbathers are seen on Bondi Beach as temperatures soar in Sydney on December 21, 2019. - Australia this week experienced its hottest day on record and the heatwave is expected to worsen, exacerbating an already unprecedented bushfire season, authorities said. (Photo by FAROOQ KHAN / AFP)

Photo: AFP or licensors

As the world heats up, researchers in Australia have developed a heat stress scale to help people avoid the risk of health problems from heatwaves which are intensifying globally. Professor Ollie Jay is the director of the University of Sydney's Heat and Health Research Incubator, and he is leading the world-first project, in collaboration with the Sydney Environment Institute. The heat stress scale in conjunction with an accompanying app aims to help the public handle the heat and also minimise, or avoid, health risks arising from more frequent heatwaves. Professor Jay says his team is striving to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat across a person's lifespan - as the growing extremes of climate ultimately affect everyone.