By Ayomide Otitoju
Europe’s ongoing heatwave is posing significant health risks, prompting calls from the World Health Organization (WHO) for stronger climate-resilient healthcare systems.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on Wednesday that rising temperatures across the continent are already disrupting daily life, including the closure of schools and widespread power outages in some areas.
“Europe’s heatwave is closing schools and putting people’s health at risk,” Tedros said, noting that temperatures in Europe are rising at roughly twice the global average, increasing the likelihood and severity of extreme heat events.
He urged world leaders to prioritise investment in climate-resilient health systems while accelerating efforts to address the drivers of climate change.
Scientists have linked the worsening heat conditions to human-induced climate change, saying such events are becoming more frequent and intense. A recent study suggested the current heatwave would have been 2°C to 4°C cooler without human-driven global warming.
The WHO also warned of growing health dangers associated with extreme heat, including heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, nausea, headaches and cramps, while heatstroke — described as a life-threatening emergency — can cause confusion, collapse and seizures.
The UN health agency noted that severe heatwaves have previously caused mass fatalities, citing the 2003 European heat event that led to an estimated 70,000 deaths.
It also advised practical safety measures, including regular water intake, staying in shaded or cool areas, and careful use of cooling devices. The WHO said electric fans become ineffective above 40°C and may even worsen heat stress, while air conditioning set at around 27°C combined with a fan can improve cooling efficiency.
