Save The Date (Registration by Invitation)

As extreme heat intensifies across the United States and poses serious health risks to the US population, local governments and health departments are on the front lines of protecting communities. The upcoming workshop&nbsp;<em>Understanding Heat Risk Perceptions and Strengthening Local Heat Actions&nbsp;</em>will bring together researchers and practitioners to share knowledge, advance heat risk reduction strategies, and improve coordination among local, state and national partners.

This one-day workshop will include presentations, panel discussions, and facilitated breakout groups. Presentations will focus on the ways extreme heat risk and heat-protective behavioral response options are being perceived by the American public and perceived and managed by local elected and appointed officials in the US. Practitioner panel discussions will address current approaches to heat risk communication and heat action planning. Breakout groups will discuss the efficacy of existing programs and policies and&nbsp;explore how public risk perception data can inform local communication strategies. A central component of the workshop will be structured peer exchange highlighting successful local heat risk reduction initiatives. Participants will identify common success factors, persistent barriers, and opportunities for expanding effective practices.

By bringing together researchers, local health department leaders, city and county heat resilience coordinators, municipal emergency managers, state public health and environment officials, representatives from federal agencies and national heat programs, including the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS), the workshop will strengthen a national community of practice centered on building extreme heat resilience. The hybrid format will ensure broad representation from local governments and public health agencies across the country.