1. Home
  2. Hubs: tools and knowledge
  3. Extreme Heat Portal

Heat and public health

Extreme heat poses a significant and growing public health risk, affecting mortality, morbidity, and the functioning of health systems.

Heat exposure can exacerbate existing health conditions, overwhelm health services, and widen health inequalities, particularly among populations with limited access to cooling, care, and information.

Please find the following selections on effective public health preparedness, surveillance, and coordination action across sectors. You can use the search bar to find the specific content you are looking for.

Who does extreme heat discriminate against?
Uploaded on
Dynamic image of a wildfire engulfing a countryside field, with thick smoke and flames.
Update
WMO bulletin shows air quality and climate interlinkages

An increase in pollution from wildfires and heatwaves risks undermining international efforts to improve air quality and protect human and ecosystem health, according to a new WMO report, which traces interlinkages between air quality and climate.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
WMO air quality and climate bulletin thumbnail
Documents and publications
WMO bulletin shows air quality and climate interlinkages

The sixth WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin examines links between air quality and climate change, highlighting aerosol impacts, wildfire smoke, ozone pollution and atmospheric monitoring needs.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Three smiling children in vibrant clothing enjoying a sunny day outdoors.
Update
When ocean temperatures increase, so does child malnutrition on land

A team found that for every standard deviation increase marine heat wave occurrences in a 24-month period child mortality increases by 5.4 percent. Malnutrition related child wasting and child stunting also increased by 6.5 and 8.8 percent respectively.

Grist Magazine
Research briefs
Extreme temperature increases risk of heart failure hospitalization

Heart failure hospitalizations increase after short-term exposure to cold spells, low and high temperatures, a study in JACC finds. Results from Sweden highlight the need for health systems to prepare for temperature-related health risks.

EurekAlert
Update
Europe's silent heat death toll

Heat-related deaths look less dramatic than other climate disasters, yet they are far more frequent. This article looks into why Europe’s deadliest climate hazard remains its least visible one.

The European Correspondent
Update
Community-driven project helps older adults prepare for extreme heat

Led in part by SFU, COPE project aims to help older adults prepare for and respond to extreme heat. The project is part of SFU Climate Innovation , a critical research priority that supports a community-centred response to the impacts of climate change.

Simon Fraser University
Exceeding human heat tolerance in a warming, ageing world: a global projection modelling study thumbnail
Documents and publications
Exceeding human heat tolerance in a warming, ageing world: a global projection modelling study

This study finds that age-specific heat tolerance thresholds dramatically increase estimates of future heat exposure, with older adults facing severe risks under global warming.

The Lancet Planetary Health
Extreme Heat in India: A review of the evolving policy and practice landscape thumbnail
Documents and publications
Extreme heat in India: A review of the evolving policy and practice landscape

This report reviews India's growing heat risk, the evolution of Heat Action Plans, financing mechanisms, and emerging governance approaches to strengthen climate resilience and public health protection.

Natural Resources Defense Council
Uploaded on