title: Heat-health behaviours of older people in two Australian states.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A major heatwave occurred in Australia in early 2009 with considerable and varied health impacts in South Australia (SA) and Victoria. The aim of this study was to investigate the heat-adaptive behaviours of older people in these states.
  
  
  METHODS
  A computer-assisted telephone survey of 1000 residents of SA and Victoria aged 65 years or older was conducted at the end of summer 2010-2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of respondents reported undertaking heat-adaptive behaviours. In SA, there was a significantly higher proportion of households with air conditioning compared to Victoria, and a higher recall of heat-health messages. In both states, self-reported morbidity during heatwaves was higher in women, persons with poorer health and those with cardiovascular conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An increase in global temperatures in conjunction with an ageing population is a concern for public health. Our findings suggest acclimatisation to hot weather may influence behaviours and health outcomes in older people.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Alana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Dino
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pisaniello
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nitschke
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newbury
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kitson
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dal Grande
authors.forename: Jodie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Avery
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Liza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kelsall
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000389:Air Conditioning; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D013021:South Australia
keywords: Australia; acclimatisation; adaptive behaviour; aged; extreme heat