The World Health Organization released updated guidance on heat-health action plans as El Niño conditions intensify global temperatures. WHO warned governments to prepare for "unprecedented" weather extremes in the coming year, particularly heat waves that threaten public health systems across vulnerable regions.
The new guidance targets protection for at-risk populations including elderly people, outdoor workers, and those with chronic diseases. Heat stress kills tens of thousands annually. During El Niño years, surface ocean temperatures rise substantially, driving atmospheric warming that amplifies heat waves across multiple continents simultaneously.
WHO's framework calls for early warning systems coordinated with meteorological agencies, heat-health alert protocols, and capacity building in healthcare facilities. The organization emphasized that countries must map vulnerable populations before heat events strike, establish cooling centers, and train medical staff to recognize and treat heat-related illness.
El Niño conditions, which develop when tropical Pacific waters warm beyond normal thresholds, typically last 9 to 12 months and alter weather patterns globally. The current episode follows years of record-breaking temperatures. Last year saw multiple heat waves that overwhelmed emergency departments and strained electricity grids as demand for cooling surged.
WHO flagged specific risks: heat waves combining with drought reducing water availability for cooling, infrastructure failures during peak demand, and mental health impacts from sustained high temperatures. The guidance addresses these cascading effects rather than treating heat as isolated weather.
The organization called for integration of heat adaptation into national health emergency plans and climate policy. Countries with limited resources face particular challenges implementing early warning systems and maintaining cooling infrastructure.
WHO's timing reflects scientific consensus on El Niño's intensity. Climate models predict above-normal temperatures persisting through 2024 and beyond. The agency urged rapid action, noting that preparation windows close quickly once heat waves begin.