Jockey Club “Beat the Heat” Project
The services for this season has been started in March.
For those who are interested, please make registration here.
Introduction
Under the trend of global warming, weather around the world is becoming increasingly hot. Hong Kong, like many other places globally, has experienced a warming trend over the past century, with an increase in the number of Hot Nights1 and Hot Weather2 Days, and a decrease in the number of Cold Weather3 days. Since 2021, the Hong Kong Observatory has recorded an average of over 50 Hot Weather Days per year, the highest on record. It is expected that Extreme Hot Weather4 days will become even more frequent in the future.
Hot weather causes health risks for the elderly. As ageing, their physiological functions undergo changes, leading to slower their behavioral responses and reduced sensitivity to thirst and temperature changes, making it difficult for them to cope with hot weather effectively. Numerous studies have shown an increase in mortality and morbidity associated with hot weather. In addition to physical health, hot weather also affects mental health. Research has linked hot weather to poor mental well-being, increased mortality rates, and a higher risk of suicide. Recent studies have found that the risk of death among the elderly increases as the average temperature exceeds 28.5°C, with a 5% increase at 30.8°C and a 10% increase at 31.8°C.
The Jockey Club "Beat the Heat" Project aims to improve public awareness of hot weather and prevent discomfort or diseases caused by hot weather. The pilot program will be conducted in the Yau Tsim Mong district from March 2024 to February 2027, focusing on risk identification and intervention for vulnerable elderly households in the area. Through promotion and public education activities, we will provide training to the elderly, caregivers, and frontline community workers to increase their awareness of this issue and enable them to take appropriate measures.
This program is generously funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and organized by the Jockey Club Institute of Ageing at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Red Cross.
1Hot Nights: Minimum temperature of 28°C or above throughout the day.
2Hot Weather: Maximum temperature of 33°C or above throughout the day.
3Cold Weather: Minimum temperature of 12°C or below throughout the day.
4Extreme Hot Weather: Maximum temperature of 35°C or above throughout the day.
Objectives
- Improve the preparedness and awareness of the society, with a focus on older people, to the impact of the changing climate;
- Assess the impact of evidence-based interventions and identify individuals with high vulnerability to heat-related illnesses;
- Devise a pilot model of community services coordination that could be replicated in other subvented organisations in Hong Kong for future summertime with increasing intensity and duration of heatwaves;
- Educate the public and the frontline community workers on the importance of climate change to their health and the corresponding coping strategies.
Service Targets
Singleton or doubleton Elderly living in Yau Tsim Mong District
Scope of Service
To reduce health risks for the elderly during hot weather and raise awareness of the importance of climate change on health and coping strategies. Services include home visits, small-scale home improvement services, provision of health and safety-related information to the elderly, and organizing various health promotion activities such as talks and workshops.
Beat the Heat Volunteer Team
The Hong Kong Red Cross Community Health Service's "Beat the Heat Volunteer Team will conduct home visits and provide small-scale home improvement services to elderly residents in the Yau Tsim Mong district. Additionally, the team will offer health and safety information to help residents cope with hot weather. Alongside these community services, various training sessions and activities will be organized to provide volunteers with diverse learning opportunities while they serve.
🙏🙏🙏Due to an overwhelming number of applications, recruitment for this season has concluded. Thank you for your support!🙏🙏🙏
Apply & Case Referral
We are now recruiting cases. If you are interested in our project or you know any elderly who has potential risks of health during summer time, please do not hesitate to refer them to us via the link below. We will contact you soon if you are eligible to join our programme.
"Jockey Club Beat the Heat" Case Referral Form
🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚【 "Mobile Heat Risk Assessment Station" 】🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
"Mobile Heat Risk Assessment Station" will be visiting the Yau Tsim Mong District during the peak summer months to offer free and basic health checks for the community. Additionally, we will provide drinking water and showcase heat-related resources. We warmly welcome everyone to come and visit us!
The schedule for May Mobile Heat Risk Assessment Station🚚 is shown below👇🏻
3 Jun (Tue) & 5 Jun (Thur) 📍 No. 43 Pine Street, Tai Kok Tsui
10 Jun (Tue) & 12 Jun (Thur) 📍 No. 33 Ivy Street, Tai Kok Tsui (near the Ivy Street Rest Garden)
17 Jun (Tue) & 19 Jun (Thur) 📍 No. 17 Cheung Wong Street, Mong Kok
24 Jun (Tue) & 26 Jun (Thur) 📍 No. 181 Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kok
❗Service will be suspended during lunch hour.
Arrangements under Poor Weather Conditions
If the Typhoon Signal No.3 (or above) AND/OR Red or Black Rainstorm Signal is being issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, Hong Kong Red Cross will cancel or delay the Mobile Heat Risk Assessment Station.
If the parking location or time changes suddenly, no further notice will be given.
For inquiries, please contact us via WhatsApp: 9420 4764
.jpg)
🥵🌡️🥵🌡️🥵【"Beat the Heat" Workshops】🥵🌡️🥵🌡️🥵
We are now offering various workshops to enhance the community's knowledge on heat-health. Interested parties can apply by filling in the form below.
Workshop Themes:
Theme 1: Heat Prevention Workshop🛡️
This workshop highlights the influence of extreme heat on health and demonstrates different tools and methods to combat heat in an interactive way.
Theme 2: Heat Health Emergency Relief Workshop🆘
This workshop introduces the health conditions that extreme heat brings, and the contingency measures when facing heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Theme 3: Extreme Heat and Mental Health Workshop❤️🔥
This workshop explains the effects of extreme heat on health with a specific focus on mental and sleep health. Corresponding assessment and ways of prevention will be introduced.
Theme 4: Healthy Diet Under "Heat" Workshop 🍴
This workshop demonstrates the relationship between nutrients and health under extreme heat. Diet recommendations and refreshing recipes will be introduced in an interactive way.
Media Coverage
Sing Tao Daily
Date: 29th May 2025
CRHK
Programme: 同途有心人>長者服務 - 積極應對氣候挑戰，推動可持續發展>2025年5月18日>第二節
Date: 18th May 2025
Section: ep. 2
RTHK
Programme: 香江暖流- 埋嚟介紹返
Date: 29th Apr 2025
Section: From 00:00 to 21:21
RTHK
Programme: Hong Kong United 凝聚香港 (Episode #590)
Date: 20th Sep 2024
Section: From 14:20 to 19:45
HOY TV
Programme: City Focus 一線搜查 (Episode:# 549)
Date: 8th Aug 2024
Section: From 07:10 to 13:53
Enquiry / Contact Us
Hong Kong Red Cross
Community Health Service
Tel: (852) 2802 0021
Fax: (852) 3103 4008
Address: 19 Hoi Ting Road, West Kowloon, Hong Kong
Email: hhp@redcross.org.hk
Organized By: Funded By:
