Heatwaves and health: Guidance on warning-system development
Categories: Climate change & health Vulnerability & Adaptation Assessments, Health National Adaptation Plans, Guidance document, Global, Climate Resilient Health Systems, Healthy Climate Action in Other Sectors
Publisher: World Meteorological Organization; World Health Organization
This technical guidance supports understanding, assessing, and managing heat-related health risks, with a particular focus on developing effective Heat-Health Warning Systems (HHWSs) and action plans that protect communities from the growing risks of extreme heat.
The guidance highlights the physical and health characteristics of heatwaves, factors influencing population vulnerability, and methods for assessing heat stress. It outlines the process to develop, implement and evaluate HHWSs including system components such as threshold-setting, forecasting, communication strategies, and intervention planning. It also includes guidance on interventions to strengthen heat preparedness and response capacities, coordinated action across meteorological, health, and emergency sectors, and long-term risk‑reduction strategies.
Intended users
Ministries of health; Government officials (other sectors); Surveillance officers; Public health professionals.