Heat–health action plans: guidance, second edition

This guidance on heat–health action plans (HHAPs) supports countries in developing, strengthening and implementing such plans at national, regional and local levels. It offers an implementation-oriented framework, structured around eight core elements: governance; heat–health warning system; populations at increased risk; communication; health system resilience; reducing heat exposure; heat–health surveillance; and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The guidance also includes user action briefs for key sectors and a public health message bank to support effective risk communication with the public. It translates accumulated evidence and implementation experience into practical actions, tools and decision points for coordinated heat–health risk prevention and response. While tailored to the WHO European Region, it is adaptable to other contexts.