Cctalk! Communicating effectively with high-risk populations in Austria: A five-step methodology

In order to reduce the vulnerability of elderly people to heat waves in Austria, a new communication approach was developed and tested as part of the CcTalK! Project.

Due to climate change, excessive heat and heat waves are a growing threat to public health, in particularly to the elderly. The most widely documented policy for reducing heat vulnerabilities to date is the adoption of heat warnings and air quality alert systems to trigger emergency responses. Nevertheless, the evidence for their positive impact is limited and the most vulnerable groups are not being adequately reached. In order to reduce the vulnerability of elderly people to heat waves in Austria, we developed and tested a more effective communication approach as part of the CcTalK! Project.