WHO warns of preventable heat deaths and offers summer safety tips

The WHO's Europe office said over 200,000 Europeans have died from heat in the past four years and urged governments to adopt heat-action plans.

The World Health Organization’s Europe office reported that more than 200,000 people across the continent have died from heat-related causes in the last four years, with the majority of those deaths deemed preventable. Dr. Hans Kluge emphasized that extreme heat is now a recurring crisis rather than an occasional anomaly and called for national heat-action strategies, including the establishment of cooling centers and flexible work schedules.

He set an ambitious target of zero heat-related deaths. Meteorologists also announced the formation of a powerful El Niño, which is expected to amplify global warming and increase the frequency of severe weather. The WHO provided a list of practical steps for the public, such as avoiding the hottest part of the day, cooling homes at night, drinking water regularly, and protecting vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and outdoor workers. The guidance stresses the disproportionate impact on low-income communities lacking adequate cooling resources.