WHO urges Europe to heat‑proof hospitals amid record heatwave

Europe is grappling with a record‑breaking heatwave that has pushed temperatures well above long‑term averages and caused a surge in heat‑related illnesses and deaths. In response, the World Health Organization issued new guidance on Thursday, outlining a set of evidence‑based measures that countries can adopt to protect populations now and to build resilience for future climate extremes. The guidance calls for coordinated action across health, environmental, and emergency services, emphasizing the need for robust surveillance of heat‑related health events and clear communication strategies to keep the public informed.

Key recommendations include strengthening health‑system capacity to manage sudden spikes in heat‑related hospital admissions, expanding early‑warning systems that link meteorological data with health outcomes, and ensuring that vulnerable groups—such as the elderly, children, and those with chronic conditions—have access to cooling centers and adequate hydration. The WHO also urges governments to integrate heat risk into broader climate adaptation plans, invest in green infrastructure that reduces urban heat islands, and maintain essential services during prolonged heat spells. By adopting these measures, countries can reduce mortality and morbidity while safeguarding the integrity of their health services during extreme temperature events.

The guidance arrives as the European Union and individual member states face unprecedented temperatures that threaten public health and strain emergency response systems. WHO stresses that timely implementation of the recommendations will not only address the current crisis but also lay the groundwork for a more climate‑resilient health sector. Governments are encouraged to act swiftly, leveraging the WHO’s framework to mitigate the immediate health impacts of the heatwave and to prepare for the increasing frequency of such events in the coming decades.