Study Purpose/Description
Very hot days can be dangerous for older people. Heat can cause illness and lead to hospital visits. Most heat warnings are general and may not always be clear or helpful.
This study is testing a new text message system.
The messages share clear and timely information about:
- Health risks during extreme heat
- Simple actions to stay safe
We want to see if these messages help people:
- Stay safe during heatwaves
- Take steps to protect their health
- Reduce the need to visit hospitals during very hot days
What’s Involved?
If you join the study:
- You will be placed into one of two groups by chance
- One group receives usual heat warning texts
- One group receives study text messages
- You will complete:
- One short online survey at the start (under 10 minutes)
- Two very short online surveys after a heatwave (under 5 minutes each)
- You will receive 4 text messages during the heatwave season (January – March 2026) with tips to stay healthy in the heat, sent based on your local weather forecast:
- One after joining
- One before a heatwave
- One at the start of a heatwave
- One after the heatwave ends
The surveys will ask about:
- Your health and any symptoms you experienced during the heat
- What you did to stay cool
- Whether you used healthcare services
You will receive a $10 e-gift card as a thank you.
Want to learn more?
- Complete a screening survey and access the study information form here
If you have any questions:
- Email the researchers at mqheattrial@mq.edu.au
- Call the researchers: Kalissa-Brooke-Cowden (02) 9850 6051 or Anastasia Chan (02) 9850 1635.
Research Ethics Approval
HREC Committee Name: Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee
Approval Number: 18563
