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Health Industry

Challenges

Weather and climate have both direct and indirect effects on people's health. Changes in weather and climate patterns have increased incidences of non-communicable diseases as well as the prevalence and geographic distribution of communicable diseases. The social and environmental determinants of health, such as clean air, safe drinking water, enough food, and adequate shelter, have been negatively impacted by these changes, which are predicted to become more severe and more frequent.


Benefits

  • Advance knowledge and understanding of weather and climate risks and their associated impacts on vulnerable groups.
  • The provision of biometeorological data at selected sites
  • Projection studies on heat stress and malaria
  • Forecasting of heat stress to increase preparedness and resilience

Products Available

Biometeorological data

The biometeorological network provides valuable weather data at the district level to aid in decision-making and adaptation efforts due to adverse high-impact weather events. The collected data may support research efforts and enhance awareness in the country

Heat stress Climatology

The heat stress climatology maps based on Steadman's apparent temperature show “hotspots” or regions in South Africa that are exposed to extreme heat stress conditions.

Discomfort Index Forecasting

The Discomfort Index forecast product provides 72-hour maps that show what percentage of the population is affected by heat stress, particularly during hot seasons.

Malaria Projections

The Liverpool Malaria Model simulates the spread of malaria at a daily resolution using daily mean temperature and 10-day accumulated precipitation. The impact of future climate change on malaria in Southern Africa in the near future (2006–2035) and far future (2036–2065) under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) is compared to an observed evaluation period (1981–2010).

Malaria Prediction System

The web-based malaria prediction system generates malaria risk maps and tables for effective monitoring, control, prevention and warning of malaria cases. The system incorporates climatic, environmental and socio-economic variables to enhance the implementation of appropriate and effective interventions to reduce the number of expected malaria cases and associated deaths.


 

1

 

Climate Change Reference Atlas (CCRA)

Provide a Hyperlink: https://www.weathersa.co.za/home/climatechangeatlas

https://www.weathersa.co.za/home/extremeclimateindices

 

Diagram, map

Description automatically generated

Additional Information

Data Type

NC, Shapefiles, Jpeg

File Format

Shapefiles, Jpeg

Frequency

5 years cycle

Thematic Application Area/ Target Market

·         All Sectors

Coverage

National, Provincial and municipality

Dissemination Channels

Product reports are available on the website. Raw data for further value add are available upon request and commercial terms

Product Benefits/Impact to end – user

The Climate Change Reference Atlas provides a general impression of climate change scenarios compared to the present climate, at a high resolution of ~4 km. These scenarios are for various periods and emission scenarios and can assist with initial long-term planning for all climate-sensitive sectors. The information can serve as a preparatory phase for more in-depth future scenario research, relevant to a specific sector.

 

2

 

Climate Data (CD)

 

 

Additional Information

Data Type

Text

File Format

MS Excel, MSWord, Pdf

File Size

Request dependant

Frequency

Upon request

Thematic Application Area/Target Market

·         All Sectors

Coverage

South Africa

Dissemination Channels

·         Email

Product Benefits/Impact to end – user

Long-term analysis, understanding of weather and climate of the area, verification of weather conditions in the area.

 

3

 

Specialized Lightning Report (SLR)

 

 

Additional Information

Data Type

Text or Excel

Data Formant

Report PDF or MSWord

File Size

Small /Medium

Frequency

Upon request

Thematic Application Area/Target Market

·         All sectors

Coverage

South Africa

Dissemination Channels

·         E-mail

Product Benefits/Impact to end – user

To accurately determine the position and strength of a ground strike. Used to validate insurance claims.

 

4

 

Caelum

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Information

Data Type

 

File Format

Word, JPEG, PDF, Video

File Size

Small

Frequency

 

Thematic Application Area/Target Market

·         Insurance

·         Disaster Management centres

·         Academia

·         Consulting firms

Coverage

South Africa

Dissemination Channels

·         Email

Product Benefits/Impact to end – user

·         The publication provides a list of weather-related disasters used by researchers for case studies, verification studies, etc.

·         Used in mitigation and adaptation studies by researchers, consultants, government, etc. It is also used by disaster managers for planning purposes.

 

5

 

Human Discomfort Index (HDI)

 

Additional Information

Data Type

 

File Format

Word, JPEG, PDF, Video

File Size

 

Frequency

On request. This product support the Discomfort Index product issued on SAWS website.

Thematic Application Area/Target Market

·         Health Sector

·         Tourism Sector

·         Local and national government departments

Coverage

South Africa

 

Dissemination Channels

·         SAWS website

·         Web portal

·         Mobile Internet based applications

·         Mobile apps and SMS

·         News bulletin/letters

·         Scientific publications

Product Benefits/Impact to end – user

The product provides different levels of discomfort and physiological stress that results when the different DI values are reached. For example, at an index value lower than 21°C no discomfort feeling is experienced by the population, but at an index value equals to or greater than 24°C, over 50% of the population will feel thermal discomfort. As DI values increases, the level of thermal discomfort increases. Thom’s medical emergency classification is reached when the DI value exceeded 32°C.