Magen David Adom, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Institute of Health and Society, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Front Public Health. 2021 Aug 2;9:642874. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.642874. eCollection 2021.
Detrimental health impacts of heatwaves, including excess mortality, are increasing worldwide. To assess risk perceptions, protective knowledge and behaviors concerning heatwaves in Israel, a study was initiated, comparing attitudes of majority (Jewish) and minority (Arab) populations. A quantitative survey was disseminated through an internet panel, to a representative sample of 556 individuals (79% Jews; 21% Arabs). Overall, 74% consider heatwaves a problem, 93% believe that heatwaves' frequencies will increase, 27% are very concerned about the effects of heatwaves. Higher levels of awareness to heatwaves were found among Jewish compared to Arab respondents; 90 vs. 77% (respectively) could name heatwaves' symptoms ( < 0.001); 81 vs. 56% (respectively) reported knowing how to protect themselves ( < 0.001); 74 vs. 47% (respectively) reported knowing what to do when someone suffers from heat stroke ( < 0.001). Arab compared to Jewish respondents presented higher levels of concern about heatwaves' effects (3.22 vs. 3.09 respectively; -2.25, = 0.03), while knowledge of protective measures was higher among Jews compared to Arabs (3.67 vs. 3.56 = 2.13 = 0.04). A crucial component of enhancing preparedness to heatwaves is empowerment of minority as well as majority groups, to strengthen their capacity to implement protective behavior and elevate their self-belief in their individual ability and fortitude.
热浪对健康的不利影响，包括死亡率上升，在全球范围内日益严重。为了评估以色列人对热浪的风险认知、保护知识和行为，开展了一项研究，比较了多数族裔（犹太人）和少数族裔（阿拉伯人）的态度。通过互联网小组向 556 名代表性个体（79%为犹太人；21%为阿拉伯人）分发了一份定量调查。总体而言，74%的人认为热浪是一个问题，93%的人认为热浪的频率将会增加，27%的人非常关注热浪的影响。与阿拉伯受访者相比，犹太受访者对热浪的认识水平更高；90%与 77%（分别）能够说出热浪的症状（<0.001）；81%与 56%（分别）报告知道如何保护自己（<0.001）；74%与 47%（分别）报告知道当有人中暑时该怎么做（<0.001）。与犹太人相比，阿拉伯受访者对热浪影响的关注度更高（分别为 3.22 和 3.09；-2.25，=0.03），而保护措施方面的知识在犹太人中比在阿拉伯人中更高（分别为 3.67 和 3.56，=2.13，=0.04）。增强对热浪的准备工作的一个关键组成部分是赋予少数族裔和多数族裔权力，以加强他们实施保护行为的能力，并提高他们对个人能力和韧性的自信。
