C‘It was a time when heat wavestemperatures outside the average and the feeling of experiencing a harder summer than usual, they were considered exceptional events. Today, unfortunately, that scenario seems far away. Extreme heat is no longer a parenthesisbut it is becoming a constant presence, capable of influencing the health, organization of cities, work and daily life of millions of people. This is the message that the WHO wanted to relaunch: increasingly higher temperatures now represent a real health emergency which It directly affects people’s well-being.
Heat waves, when the heat becomes a risk for the body
The WHO, essentially, invites us not to consider extreme heat as a simple seasonal discomfortbut as a condition that can have serious health effects. The human body is normally able to regulate its own temperature, but when the heat is intense and prolonged this balance can change. Dehydration increases, the heart works harder and the risk of illness, heat stroke and worsening of existing illnesses increases. Sleep and general well-being can also be affectedwith an impact on cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic conditions.
The most fragile people when faced with extreme temperatures
WHO also underlines the importance of understanding that heat does not affect everyone in the same way, but some categories of the population are particularly vulnerable. The elderly represent one of the most exposed groups because the organismas we age, it loses part of its ability to adapt to thermal variations. Even babies and small children they can more easily become dehydrated and overheated. Special attention is needed during pregnancy and if yes lives with chronic diseases.
The new climate challenge turns summer into a test bed for global public health. (Getty Images)
Avoid working outdoors during the hottest hours
We must not forget those who work outdoors. Workers, agricultural workers and construction site personnel often face the heat during the most critical hours of the day. The same goes for those who practice intense sporting activity or attend large summer events. In addition to the practical aspect, there is also a social dimension to the problem. People who live in poorly insulated homesfamilies who have reduced access to health services may find each other in conditions of greater vulnerability during heat waves.
WHO calls for national action plans for heat waves
In front of a phenomenon destined to become increasingly frequentthe answer cannot be entrusted only to individual behaviors. Because of this WHO has updated its guidelines on the so-called Heat-Health Action Plansliterally “heat-health action plans”. These are coordinated strategies whose objective And prepare before the emergency arrives. Don’t get caught unexpectedly, as extreme heat events are no longer the exception.
What do they predict?
These plans involve the involvement of institutions, health services, civil protection, local administrations, so that they can prepare: early warning systems based on weather forecasts, information campaigns, monitoring of the most vulnerable peoplespecific protocols for hospitals and care facilities and interventions to protect those who work outdoors. The priority objective is to reduce illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths linked to extreme temperatures through an organized and timely response.
The critical issues: still uneven prevention
Several European countries have already adopted tools of this type, achieving significant results in reducing the damage caused by extreme heat. However, there are still areas where such programs are absent or insufficientleaving entire communities more exposed to the effects of high temperatures. Italy is considered one of the most “active” European countries on the heat waves front, but with a system that works well especially in terms of health alert, while it remains more fragile in terms of structural prevention and long-term adaptation.
The cities of the future will have to learn to live with the heat
The challenge for the near future will also concern the way in which urban spaces are designed. The citiesIndeed, they tend to accumulate heat due to the asphalt and the scarcity of green areas, a phenomenon known as “urban heat island”. For WHO experts, it is therefore becoming increasingly important to invest in trees, parks and energy-efficient buildings public spaces capable of offering shelter during the hottest days.
The small gestures that can make the difference
Alongside institutional strategies, daily behaviors remain fundamental. On the hottest days it is advisable reduce physical activity in the middle of the day and avoid direct exposure to the sun. Even the home can help, keeping curtains and shutters closed during the hot hours and ventilating in the evening. Drinking regularly, even without thirst, is essential to compensate for the loss of fluids. Add to this dress lightly and take cool showersuseful for reducing stress in the body.
The often forgotten value of solidarity
Among the WHO recommendations, however, there is one that goes beyond health in the strict sense and it concerns the most human dimension: maintain contact. During heat waves, an extra phone call to an elderly family member, or a visit to a neighbor who lives alone, can make a difference. Many of the victims of the extreme heatin fact, belong to socially isolated categories and the network of relationships becomes a form of protection as important as health measures.
A new awareness for a changing world
In summary, the WHO warns that extreme heat is no longer just a meteorological phenomenonbut a reality that societies and healthcare systems must deal with every year. Prevention remains the most effective tool: preparing, getting informed and protecting vulnerable people reduces risks that are destined to grow. And, for summer to continue to be synonymous with holidays and life in the open air, in a warming planet, it will be increasingly essential to attention, responsibility and a new culture of collective health.