WHO Urges Europe to Adopt Heat Action Plans as Rising Temperatures Threaten Public Health and Summer Travel Safety

Written By: Pritam Nath

Pritam Nath

Pritam Nath is a published writer, journalist, and media researcher with over seven years of experience in journalism, content creation, and strategic communication. He specializes in media studies, journalism and mass communication, content strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. A certified journalist, he has produced research-driven news, feature stories, and industry analysis across media, travel, tourism, hospitality, culture, and strategic communication. Combining academic expertise with practical experience in digital publishing, Pritam creates insightful, engaging, and credible content that informs diverse audiences. He continues to explore emerging trends in global media, journalism, tourism, and digital communication while developing impactful content strategies.

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August 1, 2026 2:53 AM |

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Given the extreme heat facing Europe, the WHO has launched a call for emergency measures across the continent. Western Europe has recorded its hottest June and there have been multiple years of extreme summer heat. Health officials are becoming aware that the incidence of heat-related deaths and illnesses is no longer an occasional emergency, but a constant occurrence and is a threat that must be addressed with a long-term solution.

Millions of people across Europe during the peak of the summer travel season creates an extreme scenario for the large population of tourists in major cities and their associated transport networks. Extreme weather can make many activities unsafe for travelers and place an extreme burden on the local health care systems. The WHO reports that in the last three years, more than 200,000 heat related deaths have been recorded across Europe. WHO believes that the establishment of better systems to prepare for the heat will help lower the expected deaths and allow the populations and travelers to adjust to the more regular heat.

Europe is in a Heat Crisis

WHO Europe has started to deal with extreme heat as a constant threat to public health. WHO Europe Regional Director Hans Henri P. Kluge, states the information to deal with heat-related deaths exists along with the tools. The real threat is the lack of will to use them.

Europe has experienced several exceedingly hot summers and climate change is intensifying the impact and frequency of heat waves. Health authorities indicate that older people, people with chronic conditions, outdoor workers, pregnant women, people who are socially isolated, and others are at greatest risk from extended periods of extreme heat.

The most recent warnings follow the first instance of multiple countries in Europe reaching a critical threshold of record high temperatures and subsequently triggering heat-related medical emergencies that stressed both the emergency and healthcare systems.

Affecting Travel and Tourism in Europe

The heat emergency is a growing concern for the travel and tourism industry in Europe. Europe is the most popular travel destination, with hundreds of millions of international travelers every year. But, increasingly more heat waves mean that concern for the safety and wellbeing of visitors takes precedence.

The high heat stops people from easily engaging in activities such as sightseeing, hiking, and even city and event tours, as well as cultural attractions. Travelers may be even more at risk, depending on the seasonal averages, for dehydration and heat-related medical emergencies in the affected locations.

So, tourism authorities are starting to focus on the heat-related preparedness strategies and the protective tours for visitors and residents that are part of the heat adaptation emergency response plans.

Because of the climate-related threats, heat adaptation is becoming part of the risk management strategies that long-term tourism planning has to incorporate.

WHO Promotes National Heat Action Plans

The WHO has suggested that countries develop and improve national heat-health action plans. According to the WHO, fewer than half of countries in the European Region have developed comprehensive national plans to protect the public’s health from the impacts of heat.

This type of action plan will enable the coordination of early warning systems, public and health system preparedness and emergency responses, and the provision of support to heat-vulnerable populations.

The WHO believes that the development of comprehensive heat action plans improves the coordination of health agencies, local governments, weather services, and emergency responders, and saves lives. Warnings and instructions to the public help people take protective actions against the heat before it reaches a dangerous level.

Health experts believe that the best way to reduce the number of people who die from heat-related causes is to take preventative measures.

Effective Responses Across Europe

There are several examples from European countries that show that heat waves can be a challenge, but coordinated actions can strengthen heat wave resilience.

Italy created a near real time mortality and health impact system that operates in many cities, enabling them to adjust their response based on the health impact.

Spain has partnered with media to improve communication of heat risk and protective actions, ensuring that both residents and visitors receive the information when needed.

Austria has started the regulations for heat protection at work and also improved the coordination between national and regional authorities for preparedness and public health.

North Macedonia worked with humanitarian groups for outreach to those vulnerable, especially the houseless, amid the deadly summer heat.

These examples show the potential contribution of focused risk-reducing interventions to bolster community resilience.

Health Risks of the Heat Go Beyond Direct Exposure

There are almost endless consequences aside from heat stroke and dehydration that experts say the extreme heat will show. There are elevated levels of stress on the heart, complications for the respiratory system, and worsened prognoses for those with illnesses.

Among their many hardships, heat has increased the death rate for women, and even more for pregnant women, who are now at a greater risk for early delivery, low weight babies, and complications of pregnancy.

With the heat, the shifting climate is altering the range of disease vectors, giving many in Europe cause to anticipate climate related outbreaks of Junga and dengue Fever.

Risstmanas and infectious diseases are a combination that stresses health resources.

Adaptation, particularly Long Term, is the Solution

There is a critical window, beyond the time limited heat action plans, that the WHO describes the architecture of the world as needing to adapt. The urban landscape will have to be redesigned to accommodate extreme heat.

Initiatives such as urban greening, climate-resilient building insulation and infrastructure, sustainable transport systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure reduce heat exposure, increase safety, and strengthen the climate resilience of cities. Policymakers are encouraged to further advance climate mitigation efforts to minimize the projected increase in average long-term global temperatures.

The WHO holds that health systems investing in prevention and preparedness are less costly than responding to escalating health emergencies. Extreme high temperatures are a growing health threat and a concern for the economic stability of nations and for tourism. The WHO calls for early action from the nations of Europe.

FAQs

What has the WHO warned about in Europe?

The WHO has warned that extreme heat is becoming a major public health threat and is urging countries to establish national heat action plans.

How many heat-related deaths have occurred in Europe recently?

According to WHO figures, more than 200,000 people died from heat-related causes across Europe between 2022 and 2025.

Why is extreme heat a concern for travellers?

High temperatures increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, especially during sightseeing and outdoor activities.

What are Heat Action Plans?

These plans consist of a nationally coordinated set of tactics that involve systems for advanced warning, public messaging, and preparedness and response from the health sector and the general public.

Which groups are the most vulnerable to heat waves?

Elderly people, people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and women that have only recently given birth, people that work outside, and people that are socially isolated are all at a higher risk.

How does heat impact tourism in Europe?

Severe heat can affect travel and the experience of visitors, and can also impact the safety of people and the services and attractions that are conducted outside.

What is the role of Spain in heat preparedness?

Spain has improved its public readiness regarding the dangers of heat and what actions to take to mitigate its effects.

Can heat waves disrupt transportation networks?

Yes, extreme heat can affect the functioning of rail systems, roads, airports, and all of the transport networks in a city.

What illnesses are a consequence of the rising temperatures in Europe?

The spread of illnesses like dengue and chikungunya, which are transmitted by mosquitos, may be facilitated by the warmer climate.

What are some of the long term solutions that the WHO has to offer?

WHO has proposed the building of climate-resilient infrastructures, the implementation of urban-cooling solutions, the adoption of sustainable transport systems, and the strengthening of public health preparedness systems.