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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?
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The 2025 small island developing states report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: building resilience in the face of rising heat thumbnail
Documents and publications
The 2025 small island developing states report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: building resilience in the face of rising heat

This 2025 Lancet Countdown report finds rising heat, drought and climate-related health risks are threatening SIDS, while adaptation and climate finance efforts remain insufficient.

The Lancet Global Health
An older woman alone at home.
Update
Climate change may be making us lonelier

As global temperatures rise, climate change increasingly affects daily life . Social connection is crucial, both for responding to extreme weather and for working together to help the entire community adapt to a changing climate.

Conversation Media Group, the
Research briefs
Global study links higher temperatures to increased suicide rates

For the first time, a study has quantified the impacts of climate change on mental health, particularly the incidence of suicide.

Climate Adaptation Platform (CAP)
Protecting mental health from extreme heat: Recommendations for policy and action thumbnail
Documents and publications
Protecting mental health from extreme heat: Recommendations for policy and action

This study’s objective is to assess the extent to which mental health considerations are incorporated into heat action plans and to explore how governments, organizations, and communities are addressing the mental health impacts of extreme heat.

Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN)
City skyline hot sunset, downtown cityscape lit with large warm sun disk sun set light.
Update
France: June heatwave caused more than 2,700 heat-related deaths

In June 2026, daily high temperatures averaged across France reached 36.9C, shattering the previous June record set in 2022 by 2.4C.

Carbon Brief
Woman with red umbrella walking outdoors in hot weather against cloudless blue sky background.
Update
USA: Fossil fuels are heating America’s 250th birthday

A widespread heat wave is forecast to affect much of the central and eastern United States over the Fourth of July weekend, driven by a strong “heat dome”, a high pressure system sitting over the US, bringing moisture and warm air from the Gulf of Mexico.

World Weather Attribution
Race to beat the heat: climate change impacts physical activity thumbnail
Documents and publications
Race to beat the heat: climate change impacts physical activity

This article examines the impact of climate change—particularly the increasing frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme heat events—on physical activity and sports participation.

The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
Europe Heatwave 2023
Update
Record-breaking heat spreads through Europe

An extraordinary heatwave in Europe has shattered numerous temperature records and had major impacts on human health, ecosystems, agriculture, infrastructure and labour productivity.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
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