This urgent appeal emphasizes the necessity of global efforts to protect vulnerable populations, safeguard workers, enhance resilience through data and science, and limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5°C.
The increasingly severe climate crisis is pushing temperatures to dangerous levels, leading to a surge in heat-related fatalities and illnesses, and straining health systems worldwide.
Heat stress has become the leading cause of weather-related deaths, with an estimated 489,000 heat-related fatalities occurring annually between 2000 and 2019.
“Extreme heat is the most visible effect of climate change, and it impacts everyone,” remarked Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization.
“Those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable, and extreme heat can exacerbate these issues, affecting mental health and causing confusion, anxiety, or even violence,” stated.
Prolonged exposure to excessive heat not only leads to heat stress but also worsens conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health disorders, asthma, and kidney disease.
It increases the risk of accidents, and complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and can even heighten the spread of infectious diseases. In extreme cases, untreated heat stress can escalate to heat stroke, a potentially fatal medical emergency.
However, the good news is that heat-related illnesses and deaths are largely preventable. Proven strategies and tools are available to mitigate extreme heat’s health impacts.
By raising public awareness on how to stay cool, implementing heat-ready social protection and health systems, expanding heat-health warning systems, and promoting nature-based solutions in urban areas, we can protect those most at risk.
According to a WHO report, scaling up heat-health warning systems in 57 countries could save nearly 100,000 lives annually.
The WHO also co-sponsors the Global Heat Health Information Network. This collaborative initiative brings together UN agencies, governments, experts, and civil society to share knowledge and develop solutions to shield communities from the impacts of extreme heat worldwide.
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