Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising at about twice the global average. This trend is placing increasing pressure on healthcare and social services, as well as communities facing more frequent and intense heatwaves. Data from five countries indicate nearly 10,000 excess deaths linked to extreme heat during the summer period covered in the report. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heatwaves are an urgent and escalating public health threat driven by climate change and worsened by urbanization and an aging population, leading to a rapid rise in illness and death. WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Kluge, reported that over 200,000 lives have been lost to heat over the past four years, with a 30% increase in heat-related mortality over the last two decades. He emphasized these deaths are avoidable through protective measures such as early warnings, urban cooling, access to water and shade, focusing on vulnerable populations, and preparing health systems before temperature peaks occur.
WHO has issued guidance to help countries strengthen Heat–Health Action Plans (HHAPs). These plans link weather alerts with public health interventions such as outreach to vulnerable groups, provision of cooling spaces, planning for hospital surge capacity, and delivering clear public health advice. The organization highlights the need for building resilience in health facilities, as heatwaves can overcrowd hospitals that may be ill-equipped to manage higher temperatures. Urban areas are especially vulnerable due to heat retention from dense construction, making hospitals more susceptible to overheating, power and cooling failures, and increased stress and burnout among staff and patients.
Romania's Buhuși Hospital is cited as an example, having created a designated cool zone for heatstroke patients, offering cool water, and training medical staff to recognize early symptoms of heat exhaustion. The hospital has also sought funding to install a high-efficiency cooling system for the entire building.
WHO supports these adaptations through the Hospital Safety Initiative, which uses the Hospital Safety Index to assess whether health facilities can remain functional during emergencies, including extreme heat events.