Heat
According to the World Health Organization, heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths and can exacerbate underlying illnesses including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and asthma.
About our heat work
As part of their work with the Partnership for Healthy Cities, urban centers have the opportunity to advance policies aimed at reducing heat-related morbidity and mortality by:
Developing and adopted heat emergency plans
Conducting heat health impact assessments
Developing and implementing guidelines for heat-reducing strategies (e.g., reflective surfaces, shading, tree planting, green and blue space) to reduce the urban heat island
Heat-related mortality for people over 65 years of age increased by approximately 85% between 2000–2004 and 2017–2021.
Between 2000–2019 studies show approximately 489 000 heat-related deaths occur each year, with 45% of these in Asia and 36% in Europe.
Explore further
Read more about heat and health on this webpage from the World Health Organization.
What’s the best advice for staying safe during a heatwave? Q&A from the World Health Organization.
Vital Strategies and its partners are showcased in a BBC Storyworks series.