Title page

Contents

Background 2

Impact of recent heat events on population health 4

Heat-health vulnerability factors 7

Responding to heat and heat-related health impacts 15

The need for a joint approach 24

References 25

Table 1. Main definitions of heat events 2

Table 2. Other public health impacts 7

Table 3. Health conditions increasing heat vulnerability 9

Table 4. Building characteristics increasing the risk for indoor overheating 13

Table 5. Selected examples of current research initiatives and funding 23

Figure 1. Daily mortality in people aged 65 and older during summer 2022 5

Boxes

Box 1. Medications increasing vulnerability to heat risks 10

Box 2. Public messages about heat events 17

Pictures

Picture 1. Example of a Met Office Red Warning for Extreme Heat 18