WHO updates heat action guidance as climate change intensifies health risks

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued updated guidance urging governments across Europe to make protection from extreme heat a permanent part of public health policy as climate change continues to drive more frequent and severe heatwaves.

The new edition of the Heat-Health Action Plans, which replaces guidance published in 2008, incorporates nearly two decades of scientific evidence and practical experience from countries across the WHO European Region. The recommendations respond to growing health threats linked to rising temperatures, ageing populations and rapid urbanisation.

Rather than treating heatwaves as isolated emergencies, WHO recommends year-round preparedness. Countries are encouraged to establish coordinated strategies that anticipate heat risks, safeguard vulnerable groups and strengthen the resilience of health systems.

The updated framework identifies eight key areas for action, including governance, heat warning systems, protection of at-risk populations, public communication, healthcare preparedness, reducing heat exposure, surveillance, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

According to WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr. Hans Kluge, the guidance reflects years of real-world experience and provides practical, scalable solutions to challenges such as urban heat islands, ageing populations and cross-sector coordination. He stressed that, with record-breaking temperatures becoming increasingly common, the ultimate goal is to eliminate heat-related deaths.

The recommendations come after another exceptionally hot summer in Europe. According to EuroMOMO estimates, prolonged heatwaves in June and July 2026 contributed to around 10,000 excess deaths across the continent, more than 9,000 of which occurred among people aged 65 and older.

WHO notes that Europe is warming faster than any other region in the world. Rising temperatures increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, while urban heat island effects expose millions of city residents to even higher temperatures. Extreme heat also worsens cardiovascular, respiratory and kidney diseases, places additional strain on healthcare systems, disrupts infrastructure and increases the risk of accidents and infectious disease outbreaks.

The guidance highlights successful national approaches already in place. France, Italy and the United Kingdom have established integrated heat-health warning systems that combine weather forecasting with public health planning, allowing authorities to implement coordinated protective measures before dangerous temperatures occur.

In the UK, the Adverse Weather and Health Plan uses a colour-coded alert system developed with the Met Office to coordinate responses among healthcare providers, local authorities and the public. Italy's Heat-Health Action Plan identifies older adults most vulnerable to extreme heat and supports them through home visits, telehealth monitoring and social care services during heatwaves.

WHO concludes that closer integration of public health, healthcare, social services, urban planning and meteorological agencies will help countries better prepare for extreme heat, protect vulnerable populations and build more climate-resilient health systems.

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