The impacts of heat on health: surveillance and preparedness in Europe

This briefing outlines the status of surveillance for heat-related health impacts and heat-health actions plans in 38 European countries. It draws on a survey issued to National Public Health Institutes. It is published under the European Climate and Health Observatory initiative.

Key messages

• Of all weather-and climate-related extreme events in Europe, heat causes the largest number of deaths. Unless adaptive actions are taken, higher temperatures under a changing climate are likely to lead to more severe impacts on an ageing European society.
• Timely and reliable data on the number of deaths and illnesses associated with heat are essential for deploying targeted emergency responses during hot periods. In the long term, this type of data supports prioritising, implementation and evaluation of actions that keep people safe from extreme heat.
• 20 of the EEA-38 countries currently monitor heat impacts on health and three additional countries are developing heat-health monitoring systems. Methods of data collection and analysis vary considerably in the existing surveillance systems.
• 21 of the EEA-38 countries have heat-health action plans (HHAPs) in place, and another four National Public Health Institutes are developing HHAPs. Further development, evaluation and revision of HHAPs with a particular focus on vulnerable populations is recommended to better prepare countries for future heat extremes.
• Other opportunities for action include: further development of heat mortality forecasting, early warning systems, and HHAPs; learning and collaboration among European countries; and stepping up EU level action on heat-related mortality monitoring and adaptation targets.