Poor Health in Heatwaves

Poor Health in Heatwaves

Heat waves can negatively impact health. For most, they are inconvenient, sweaty, and uncomfortable. However, the impact of high temperatures can be more significant for others.

Manual workers, in particular, face a heightened risk of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke during heatwaves¹.

Pregnant women can find the heat of summer can be particularly uncomfortable. High temperatures can also increase the risk of preterm birth².

For the elderly, heatwaves can lead to hospitalisation and even death. Each year, the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for National Statistics publish a heat mortality monitoring report. They’ve done this since 2016. The summer of 2023 was the eighth warmest on record. In 2023, five heat episodes caused an estimated 2,295 deaths. 92% of which were of citizens aged 65 and over.

There are many effective ways to mitigate the risks of a heatwave by adapting your behaviours and keeping your home cooler. Check out all these rapidly-deployable solutions to give you a better night's sleep and keep you feeling well.

1. https://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/employer/heat-stress.htm

2. Risks to health, wellbeing and productivity from overheating in buildings July 2022, Climate Change Committee