Climate Change, Extreme Heat, and Health

Increased global temperature is associated with a wide range of health risks, which are disproportionately high for certain populations. Individual- and population-level measures can reduce risks.

Key points:

• Heat waves are increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity and are already a substantial threat to human health.
• Health risks from heat include cardiovascular events, respiratory conditions, kidney disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, increased anxiety and depression, increased suicidality, and aggressive behavior and violence.
• Heat exposure is a serious health threat in terms of both the level of heat and the increase from the historical temperature baseline.
• Multisectoral research is needed to better understand direct and indirect health consequences of a warmer world, with increased heat extremes, and to identify effective strategies for improving resilience.
• Particular attention is needed to develop effective strategies for adaptation among those at highest risk, such as older populations, members of marginalized racial or ethnic groups, persons with low socioeconomic status, and those with coexisting conditions.