We're Having a Heat Wave-the Physical and Mental Impacts from Extreme Heat and What Your Community Should Do with Dr. Jason Mansour, Medical Director at Broward Health Medical Center's Emergency Department

Brace yourself for a deep dive into the hot issues surrounding extreme summer heat with host, Donna DiMaggio Berger, and guest Dr. Jason Mansour, Medical Director at Broward Health Medical Center's Emergency Department. Together, they discuss the physical and mental impact of extreme heat events. This isn't just another conversation about the weather - it's a critical exploration of an increasingly dangerous global phenomenon and how community association boards can prepare and protect their residents, employees, vendors, and guests.

Donna begins the episode by guiding you on what associations can do to protect residents and employees from the heat's wrath, including revisiting and/or relaxing certain rules and regulations that might not make sense amid a heat wave, crafting disaster plans, ensuring outdoor workers are hydrating and have access to shade, and implementing smart strategies like limiting daytime activities on your recreational amenities and conducting welfare checks on vulnerable residents. 

In the second half of the episode, Dr. Mansour shares expert insight recognizing and managing symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Dr. Mansour emphasizes that extreme heat can exacerbate existing health conditions and poses a severe threat to respiratory and cardiovascular health. This episode of Take It To The Board will serve as your cool oasis - a survival guide to extreme heat events. Whether you're a board member, resident, part of a management team, or an association employee or vendor working outdoors in the broiling heat, this episode is packed with vital information to help you stay safe.

With a special mention to our previous episode featuring Miami-Dade Chief Heat Officer, Jane Gilbert, this episode emphasizes the urgency for awareness and action. 

Conversation highlights include:

Common sense steps your board can take to lessen the impact of extreme heat in your communityIdentifying the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstrokeFind out what can be done to cool down once symptoms startIs it possible to cool down while still outside? Why certain rules regarding hurricane shutters and blinds should be relaxedThe pros and cons of cooling off in a cold plunge How extreme heat impacts your vulnerable residentsWhen to go to the hospital if someone is suffering from the heat Can heat stroke cause brain damage, permanent or otherwise?

BONUS:  Hear firsthand the increased number of hospital visits the recent heatwave has caused.