Awareness of heat-related health risks to various population risk groups among adults in Finland

Abstract Background Due to the climate change, prolonged heatwaves and hot weather during summer are becoming more frequent in Finland and heat-related risks to individual health have become more evident. Yet, in the North heatwaves may still be perceived less of a health risk as the hazards due to winter are more familiar. We explored the extent to the general population is aware of health-related risks among different risk groups. Methods This cross-sectional study is part of the HEATCLIM project that is investigating the social determinants of heat vulnerability in the North. Cross-sectional survey data (N = 2108) were collected during 2020 and 2021 from a sample representing population aged 25+. Awareness of heat-related risks was inquired with the question: “How high a risk do you consider heat waves for...” in which various risk groups were detailed. Logistic regression analysis was used to find out variation between socio-demographic groups in their perceptions of heat risk-groups. Results Overall, approximately one fifth considered people with memory loss, overweight persons and people with cancer to belong to a very high risk group. Female gender was a strong independent predictor of risk awareness while (higher) age and (higher) education increased perceptions of risks for some groups. Region of residence or economic status were not associated with risk awareness. Respondents themselves did not consider heatwaves to affect their own daily life. Conclusions Gender, age and level of education pattern the awareness of detrimental effects of heat to different risk groups. Our results emphasize that heatwaves are perceived differently according to respondents’ socioeconomic background. Key messages • Awareness of heat-related health risks vary considerably between socio-demographic groups in Finland. • Gender, age and level of education associate with awareness of heat-related risks among adults.