Sistema de alerta temprano para altas temperaturas y olas de calor: la necesidad de una política de salud pública en Colombia

The rise in global temperatures, accelerated by ongoing climate change, requires promoting public health policies such as the creation of early warning systems for high temperatures and heat waves to reduce the vulnerability of the most vulnerable population groups, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Scientific evidence supports that pregnant women are at greater risk of preterm birth during exposure to high temperatures; adults and children may be at risk of dehydration; and adults over 65 years of age may be at greater risk of heart disease. This paper analyzed some of the early warning systems for high temperatures and heat waves in different countries, focusing on reducing risks to human health. In Colombia, current regulations allow for the creation of an early warning system for high temperatures. The Ten-Year Public Health Plan (PDSP), 2022-2031, Resolution 2367 of 2023, which through Strategic Axis 5: Climate Change, Emergencies, Disasters, and Pandemics, calls for intersectoral work for management. and its strategic territorial goal is for the different territories to generate early warning systems by 2031 to reduce the impact of the different threats exacerbated by climate change. Finally, a climate-risk-based framework is presented, and government institutions are invited to lead this process.