‘Heat deaths are not inevitable’: WHO pushes Europe to heat‑proof its hospitals

Published 16 July 2026 · health

Europe is the fastest-warming continent on the planet, with temperatures rising at approximately twice the global average, which is placing growing pressure on health systems

Europe is the fastest-warming continent on the planet, with temperatures rising at approximately twice the global average, which is placing growing pressure on health systems, social care services and communities already facing more frequent and intense heatwaves. Data from five countries already shows nearly 10,000 excess deaths linked to the extreme heat this summer. The heat is on WHO described extreme heat as an urgent and growing public health threat that is expected to hit harder each year. It is driven by climate change and worsened by urbanization and population ageing, rapidly increasing illness and deaths. “Our region is the fastest-warming region globally. In the past four years alone, heat has claimed more than 200,000 lives, while heat-related mortality has risen by 30 per cent over the past 20 years,” said Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. He stressed that “heat deaths are not inevitable” because “we know how to protect people: warn communities early, make cities cooler, ensure access to water and shade, check on those most at risk and prepare health systems before temperatures peak.” © WHO/Gilles Reboux Hospitals feel the heat The new guidance will help countries to strengthen Heat–Health Action Plans (HHAPs), which connect weather alerts to public health measures such as outreach to people most at risk, cooling spaces, surge planning in hospitals and clear advice for the public.

WHO underscored the need to build resilient health facilities. Heatwaves can overwhelm hospitals that may not be designed to cope with higher temperatures, especially as admissions rise. This is particularly the case in cities, where built-up areas trap heat and remain warmer than surrounding rural or suburban areas. Hospital buildings can overheat, causing power supplies, cooling systems as well as computers and tech services to fail. Moreover, staff as well as patients can become stressed and burned out due to the heat. Romania’s ‘cool’ hospital In Romania, Buhuși Hospital is adapting to meet the challenge. The facility has established a designated cool space for people suffering from heatstroke, providing cool water and medical staff trained to spot the early signs of heat exhaustion. Authorities have also applied for funding to install a high-efficiency cooling system throughout the entire building. Assessment, investment and readiness WHO is supporting such efforts across Europe through its Hospital Safety Initiative which uses the Hospital Safety Index to assess whether health facilities are likely to remain operational during emergencies.