As extreme heat gripped Europe on 24/6, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged leaders to increase investment in climate-resilient health systems, AFP reported.

In a post on social media platform X, he expressed concern that the heat is forcing many schools to close and jeopardizing public health. According to WHO, Europe is warming faster than the rest of the world, leading to more frequent and severe extreme heatwaves.

"We cannot delay any longer. Leaders must prioritize investment in climate-adaptive health systems, while accelerating climate action and mitigating the factors driving this crisis," he wrote.

People cool off at the Trocadero fountain in front of the Eiffel Tower as temperatures rise in Paris on 23/6. *Photo: Reuters/Abdul Saboor*

Scientists indicate that human-induced climate change is exacerbating extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods. A study published this week indicated the current heatwave is clearly impacted by climate change. Without this factor, temperatures could be 2-4 degrees Celsius lower.

Europe is currently the fastest-warming region globally. Over the past four years, heat has caused over 200,000 deaths, with heat-related mortality rising by 30% in recent decades. In an Instagram post, WHO warned that "heat is no longer merely a weather story, but has become a health emergency."

The agency called on local authorities to expand urban cooling solutions, ensure access to clean water and shade, proactively monitor high-risk groups, and prepare emergency capacity ahead of peak heat periods.

WHO also advised the public to differentiate between heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heat exhaustion typically causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, and cramps; whereas heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency characterized by confusion, fainting, or seizures.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. *Photo: Keystone/Salvatore Di Nolfi*

According to the United Nations health agency, extreme heat can cause a spike in mortality rates, such as the historic European heatwave from June to August 2003, which claimed approximately 70,000 lives. WHO recommended using electric fans only when ambient temperatures are below 40 degrees Celsius, as above this threshold, the airflow from fans no longer cools but can directly transfer more heat to the body.

In air-conditioned spaces, setting the temperature to 27 degrees Celsius and using an additional electric fan can make the room feel about 4 degrees Celsius cooler. The public should also note that outdoor air in shaded areas can sometimes be cooler than indoors. Furthermore, maintaining a regular hydration habit, ensuring at least two to three liters of water daily during hot weather, is a mandatory principle to protect the body.

Binh Minh (According to AFP, Euro News)