Story · bluesky + websearch · 29 events
Summer’s silent killer: why the world’s heatwaves are a global health ...
Summer’s silent killer: why the world’s heatwaves are a global health ...
Emerging threats
Cross-posts
Climate change
Summer’s silent killer: why the world’s heatwaves are a global health emergency
Heatwaves can damage hearts, kidneys, lungs and infrastructure.
24 June 2026
5
min read
by
The Conversation
Add as preferred Google source
Studio Nut/Shutterstock
Heat is no longer a future climate risk. It is already here.
Across continents, high temperatures are being pushed higher by forces acting at once: human-caused warming, very warm oceans, dry soils, slow-moving high-pressure weather systems and
El Niño
conditions that have now developed in the
tropical Pacific
.
El Niño is a natural warming of part of the tropical Pacific that can shift weather patterns around the world. It is not the cause of climate change, but when it develops in a climate already warmed by greenhouse gas pollution, it can add another push to global temperatures and regional extremes.
The
science is clear
. Greenhouse gases have raised the baseline, so heatwaves now begin from a warmer starting point.
Record ocean heat
adds more energy to the climate system. Dry ground can intensify heat, because less of…
Heat domes: How they affect summer heat | AP News
Heat domes: How they affect summer heat | AP News
Driven by human-caused climate change, heat waves around the world are “tending to last longer, be stronger, and often more intense,” experts say. (AP Video by Brittany Peterson. Produced by Teresa de Miguel)
These unbearably hot and humid summer months that put millions of people across the globe at risk are typically made possible by phenomena known asheat domes.
Heat domes can make already-high temperatures even more extreme and prolonged, and they are worsening in severity and becoming more frequent as the planet warms.
Here’s what to know.
Heat domes are essentially high-pressure systems hovering above a region that trap heat and humidity, experts say.
A person uses an electric fan during a heat advisory, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Gray, File)
They result from the northward flow of warm air. That system sends air sinking, pressure increasing and temperatures rising.
“The concept of a heat dome really means that the air in this region is so warm, and we know that warm air expands,” said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center. “It basically mean…
‘Extremely high’ rates of heat-related emergency department visits, CDC says - Comfort a Life
‘Extremely high’ rates of heat-related emergency department visits, CDC says - Comfort a Life
Up next
Published on
04 July 2026
Author
Comfort a Life Team
TL;DR
The CDC has confirmed an ‘extremely high’ increase in heat-related emergency visits across the U.S., emphasizing urgent health risks during heatwaves. The situation remains ongoing with data still being collected and analyzed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an ‘extremely high’ increase in heat-related emergency department visits across the United States, underscoring the growing health risks associated with recent heatwaves. This development highlights a significant public health concern as temperatures continue to rise nationwide.
The CDC’s latest data indicates that heat-related emergency department visits have surged to levels not seen in previous years, with some regions experiencing double or triple the typical numbers during heatwave periods. According to officials, this spike correlates with record-breaking temperatures across many states, and the trend is expected to continue as climate patterns shift.
Health authorities emphasize that vulnerable populations, including the elderly…
Disparities in Access to Air Conditioning And Implications for ...
Disparities in Access to Air Conditioning And Implications for ...
June 2024marked the 13th-consecutive month of record-breaking high temperatures. In early July 2024, the Eastern and Central regions of the U.S. experienceda record breaking heat wave, that exposed more than 200 million people to 90 degree Fahrenheit weather for more than seven days. As of mid-July,37 peoplewere suspected to have died from heat-related causes, however this is likelyan undercount. As temperaturescontinue to riseand extreme heat events become more frequent in the U.S., people of color and other underserved communities are likely to bedisproportionately affecteddue to increased exposure to heat and more limited access to air conditioning.
This brief examines disparities in access to air conditioning in the home by race and ethnicity and income and discusses the implications for heat-related health risks, including heat-related mortality. It is based on KFF analysis of data from theResidential Energy Consumption Survey, a nationally representative household survey. The survey asks respondents about how energy is utilized in their home, such as powering air conditioning units, while also collecting dem…
Heat health early warning systems - Climate Resilience Center
Heat health early warning systems - Climate Resilience Center
Early warning systems are a powerful resilience tool, alerting vulnerable communities to dangerous periods of extreme heat and what preparatory actions to take before the heat wave begins.
When heat waves strike, many peopleunderestimate their own individual risk. However, extreme heat is one of the deadliest weather hazards. This lower risk perception can come with significant costs as people expose themselves to dangerous and possibly lethal heat.
Heat health early warning systems (HHEWS) help raise awareness of extreme heat and trigger critical public health responses that save lives.
At their best, these systems predict dangerous periods of extreme heat and disseminate timely alerts that reach key stakeholders: relevant government agencies, civil society, the media, and of course the general public.
The impacts of global warming make heat widespread, severe, and unavoidable. Between May 2023 and May 2024, an estimated6.3 billion peopleexperienced at least 31 days of extreme heat.
Health-based early warning systems for extreme heat can protect and prepare people, especially in historically temperate zones that a…
Explainer: How heat kills - Science News Explores
Explainer: How heat kills - Science News Explores
Share this:
Share via email (Opens in new window)
Email
Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Facebook
Share on X (Opens in new window)
X
Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Pinterest
Share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Reddit
Share to Google Classroom (Opens in new window)
Google Classroom
Print (Opens in new window)
Print
By
Aimee Cunningham
May 2, 2019 at 5:30 am
The human body can’t handle excessive heat. The processes that keep us alive work best within a certain temperature window. That’s generally between about 36° and 37° Celsius (96.8° to 98.6° Fahrenheit), depending on the person.
If someone’s core body temperature goes higher, “the body’s primary response to heat is to try and get rid of it,” explains Jonathan Samet. He’s the dean of the Colorado School of Public Health in Aurora. To get rid of excess heat, blood vessels in the skin dilate, or expand. At the same time, the heart begins beating faster. That pushes blood flow to the skin. There, the blood can release heat to cool down. Meanwhile, sweating kicks in to cool the skin.
When people experience high temperatures again and again, their bodies can get bett…
Traveling to a heat wave zone: Here's what tourists need to know - KVIA
Traveling to a heat wave zone: Here's what tourists need to know - KVIA
CNN - Style
By
CNN
Published
June 23, 2026
10:42 AM
CNN
By CNN Travel staff
(CNN) —
Scorching hot temperatures have been breaking records and wreaking havoc across some of the world’s most popular tourism destinations.
Is it time to rethink travel plans? Are refunds available? Are there ways to cope?
Here are some answers to many of the key questions travelers may be asking when potentially dangerous conditions are likely to affect their vacations.
Which regions are affected?
A number of destinations across the United States and Europe have been significantly impacted by soaring global temperatures, resulting in a number of deaths.
In the US, temperatures in Grand Canyon National Park are predicted to either hit or exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) at the low-elevation Phantom Ranch this week, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Park Service has since urged people to avoid hiking in the middle of the day following a “recent influx of heat-related incidents,” including the deaths of two hikers on the North Kaibab Trail.
In Europe, health warnings have been issued by official…
Going outside in this heat? Follow these guidelines to stay safe
Going outside in this heat? Follow these guidelines to stay safe
News
Going outside in this heat? Follow these guidelines to stay safe
NPR |
By
Carmel Wroth
Published July 2, 2026 at 6:00 AM EDT
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Selçuk Acar/Anadolu
/
Getty Images
People cool off at Washington Square Park during hot weather in New York City on June 29, 2026.
As the holiday weekend approaches, large swaths of the the Midwest and the Eastern U.S. are under extreme heat warnings or heat advisories, according to the
National Weather Service
.
Heat is a serious health threat. Hundreds of people
die of heat-related illness
in the U.S. each year. Heatstroke can
damage your body
, leading to multiple organ failure or kidney failure, and it can trigger a heart attack.
If you plan to spend time outdoors this week, here's a roundup of advice from NPR reporting on how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
For the latest stories on the science of healthy living, subscribe to NPR's
Health newsletter
.
1. Assess the heat risk before you go outside
There's not an absolute temperature at which extreme heat turns dangerous. Rather it depends on your individual circumstances, h…
Experts warn severe change to weather coming: 'Risky conditions'
Experts warn severe change to weather coming: 'Risky conditions'
...
By
Thomas Westerholm
Life & Trends Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Prefer Newsweek on Google
to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Record-breaking heat swept across the United States in March, and experts say it could be a sign of a potential year-round problem.
Researchers
from
UCLA
explained how the summer heat outlook could be very concerning, as
severe heat
waves driven by
climate change
and the potential for an
El Niño
—a natural warming of the
ocean's
surface, which can disrupt weather patterns—could lead to heat-related events.
“As we move toward
summer
, natural variability will continue to play a role, but it will be acting on top of a warmer
climate
. That means higher odds of persistent and widespread heat," climate scientist Alex Hall said in
a press release
from the university.
Read More
on
Weather
“If an El Niño does develop later this year, it could further increase the chances of heat extremes, but the underlying
warming
trend is already doing a lot of the work.
"The climate system has warmed enough that some
heat…
Understanding Heat Stress: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, and ...
Understanding Heat Stress: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, and ...
Dr. Jordan Clark
Heat safety fundamentals
Heat stress occurs when the body takes on more heat than it can comfortably release. That heat can come from the environment, from physical activity, from clothing or equipment, or from a combination of all three.
Heat stress matters because the human body has to keep core temperature within a narrow range. When cooling becomes difficult, the body works harder to maintain balance. Heart rate rises, sweating increases, fatigue can build, and performance can decline. If heat strain continues, heat-related illness can develop.
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, or WBGT, is one way to assess the environment that contributes to heat stress. But WBGT is only part of the picture. The body’s response depends on the person, the activity, and the conditions.
Heat stress and heat strain are related, but they are not the same thing.
Heat stressis the heat load placed on the body. It includes environmental heat, metabolic heat from work or exercise, and the effect of clothing or equipment.
Heat strainis the body’s response to that heat load. It can include increased heart rate, heavy sw…
Deadly heat stress conditions are already occurring - Nature
Deadly heat stress conditions are already occurring - Nature
Download PDF
Subjects
Environmental health
Geography
Projection and prediction
Abstract
Heat stress limits for human survivability have been previously defined by a 6-hour exposure to a wet-bulb temperature of 35
o
C. However, the recently developed physiology-based HEAT-Lim model demonstrates that environmental heat stress thresholds may be cooler and drier than previously thought. We employ HEAT-Lim to determine whether non-survivable thresholds were surpassed during six historical events where conditions were climatologically extreme and/or high heat-related mortality was reported. Our results show that non-survivable conditions are occurring during present-day heat events, all of which are below 35
o
C wet-bulb temperature. Of concern is regular exceedances of deadly thresholds for older people directly exposed across all events. Moreover, extremely hot yet dry conditions are found to be just as deadly as hot and humid conditions. For future climatological assessments, we emphasise the importance of employing increasingly accurate physiology-derived methods to assess the risk of potentially deadly heat stress.
Simila…
Heat Waves Brain Health Cognitive Effects: 2026 Summer Risks
Heat Waves Brain Health Cognitive Effects: 2026 Summer Risks
Mental Health Innovations
Heat Waves and Brain Health: What Extreme Heat Does to Cognition
Priya Sharma
·
6
min read
·
28 June 2026
Share Article
Send this story to your network or copy the direct link.
X
X
f
Facebook
in
LinkedIn
Copy link
Record June heat across Europe is forcing neuroscientists to quantify how sustained high temperatures impair memory, sleep, and mood, and what cities must do before the next wave.
When a Heat Wave Becomes a Neurological Event
Western Europe's June 2026 heat dome was not only a power-grid stress test, it was a mass experiment on human cognition. Emergency departments reported elevated delirium screens, schools shortened outdoor exams. Employers quietly shifted knowledge work to cooler hours. Neuroscientists tracking heat waves brain health cognitive effects argue we should treat extreme heat like any other environmental toxin: measurable. Cumulative, and unevenly distributed across age and income.
The mechanism is blunt. Core body temperature above roughly 38.5°C impairs synaptic efficiency. Dehydration thickens blood, reducing oxygen delivery; and sleep fragmentation from hot nights pr…
It could be more dangerous inside your house during a heat wave
It could be more dangerous inside your house during a heat wave
Most people know that heat waves can be dangerous. What they may not realize is that the heat indoors can be much worse than outdoors.
Recommended Video
When the power goes out and air conditioning stops, a house starts to function like a greenhouse. Heat enters through windows and walls and has nowhere to go. Air stagnates.
Within hours, indoor temperatures can climb well above what the thermometer shows outside, especially on upper floors and in rooms with south-facing windows. Over longer periods, especially if temperatures don’t cool off overnight, conditions can become lethal.
Most
heat-related deaths occur indoors
. When a heat dome sent temperatures soaring in the Pacific Northwest in 2021,
98% of the more than 600 deaths in British Columbia
happened inside homes.
Washington
and
Oregon
also saw high numbers of deaths in homes that lacked air conditioning.
In Europe, where only
1 in 10 households have air conditioning
, heat waves killed an estimated
60,000 people in 2022 and 47,000 in 2023
, largely inside buildings never designed for these temperatures. https://www.youtube.com/embed/AMakK1WQ4bY?wmode=transpare…
Heat and Teenage Athletes | US EPA
Heat and Teenage Athletes | US EPA
Heat and Teenage Athletes
Explore Other Kids and Climate Health Impacts
Find information on how climate change can increase extreme heat and affect youth athletes. Start by reading the fictional story of a teenager who is affected by extreme heat while playing a sport and learn how similar situations can affect kids across the country. Also get tools to help families prepare and cope with outcomes from climate-related activity. Finally, check out the regional spotlight.
On this page:
Climate Change Impacts
Impacts on Young Athletes' Health
More Resources
Sam's Story
A family and their teenager, Sam, are living in an urban town that has seen an increase in extreme heat. The local school district does not have clear guidance on restricting outdoor sports during extreme heat. Sam is a high school athlete and is often exposed to high heat during practices and games. One day during practice, Sam gets extremely dizzy and experiences muscle cramps during practice. The athletic trainer suspects that these symptoms are due to the heat, and Sam is diagnosed with heat cramps by a pediatrician.
Climate Change Impacts
Since 1970, temperatures in the contiguou…
How Does Extreme Heat Affect Human Health? A Scientific Guide
How Does Extreme Heat Affect Human Health? A Scientific Guide
Column
Authors
W. Larry Kenney
W. Larry Kenney
Thematic Area Lead, Health and the Environment
Published:
July 3, 2025
|
Last updated:
February 10, 2026
In this article, you'll learn:
The most common cause of death in a heat wave
The true, evidence-based heat limit for a healthy young adult
How heat acclimatization can dramatically reduce your risk
As the planet warms and extreme heat events become more frequent, understanding how the human body copes with high temperatures is more important than ever. Larry Kenney has spent his career studying exactly that. A professor of physiology and kinesiology and an expert in human thermoregulation, his research focuses on how heat affects people of all ages, especially older adults and other vulnerable groups. In this Q&A, he shares what decades of research have revealed about the body’s limits, why some populations are more at risk, and what we can do to stay safe in a hotter world.
Image
What inspired your decades-long focus on human temperature regulation, and how did your early experiences shape your research into how the body copes with high temperatures?
My path began as a …
Why extreme heat weather is a global health emergency: a ... - Springer
Why extreme heat weather is a global health emergency: a ... - Springer
Why extreme heat weather is a global health emergency: a retrospective analysis
Research
Open access
Published:
22 November 2025
Volume 18
, article number
255
(
2025
)
Cite this article
You have full access to this
open access
article
Download PDF
Save article
View saved research
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Aims and scope
Submit manuscript
Why extreme heat weather is a global health emergency: a retrospective analysis
Download PDF
Abstract
Background
Extreme heat events are increasingly recognized as a critical global health threat, exacerbated by rising temperatures and climate change. The distribution, frequency, and health impacts of these events vary significantly across regions, posing unique challenges to public health systems worldwide.
Aim
This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of extreme heat events from 1900 to 2023, focusing on their geographic distribution, frequency, severity, and associated health outcomes. The objective is to equip policymakers and healthcare providers with the insights necessary to enhance preparedness and response mechanisms for future extreme hea…
Heat doesn't affect everyone equally. The most vulnerable - including outdoor workers, older adults, unhoused people, and those with chronic illness - often face danger well before 🌡️ reach official a...
Heat doesn't affect everyone equally. The most vulnerable - including outdoor workers, older adults, unhoused people, and those with chronic illness - often face danger well before 🌡️ reach official alert thresholds.
Here's who is most at risk, and why heathealth.info/heat-and-hea...
#ExtremeHeat
"Extreme heat is a global health emergency.
Billions of people are at risk of preventable death and illness from extreme heat, which is exacerbated by the escalating effects of climate change. Action ...
"Extreme heat is a global health emergency.
Billions of people are at risk of preventable death and illness from extreme heat, which is exacerbated by the escalating effects of climate change. Action is urgently needed to save lives."
heathealth.info
Traveling to a heat wave zone: Here's what tourists need to know ...
Traveling to a heat wave zone: Here's what tourists need to know ...
CNN - Style
David McNew/Getty Images via CNN Newsource
A car passes a sign warning of extreme heat danger on the eve of a day that could set a new world heat record in Death Valley National Park on July 15
By
CNN Newsource
Published
June 23, 2026
10:42 AM
By CNN Travel staff
(CNN) —
Scorching hot temperatures have been breaking records and wreaking havoc across some of the world’s most popular tourism destinations.
Is it time to rethink travel plans? Are refunds available? Are there ways to cope?
Here are some answers to many of the key questions travelers may be asking when potentially dangerous conditions are likely to affect their vacations.
Which regions are affected?
A number of destinations across the United States and Europe have been significantly impacted by soaring global temperatures, resulting in a number of deaths.
In the US, temperatures in Grand Canyon National Park are predicted to either hit or exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) at the low-elevation Phantom Ranch this week, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Park Service has since urged people to avoid hiking …
Protect Yourself From the Dangers of Extreme Heat
Protect Yourself From the Dangers of Extreme Heat
The effects of rising temperatures and extreme heat result in numerous illnesses and deaths each year.
For many people, warm weather is a time for fun-filled outdoor activities. However, hot weather and outdoor activities don't always mix well, especially during periods of extreme heat— times when temperatures are substantially hotter and/or more humid than average for a location and date.
Extreme heat can cause people to suffer from heat-related illness, and even death. People sufferheat-related illnesswhen their bodies are unable to properly cool themselves.Older adults,young children, and people withchronic medical conditionsare at high risk for heat-related illness and death. More than 700 people die from extreme heat every year in the United States.
Warmer temperatures can mean higher ozone levels. Pay attention to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency'sAir Quality Indexwhen planning outdoor summer activities, especially if you have asthma or another lung disease.
Track extreme heat in your area. TheCDC Heat & Health Trackerprovides local heat and health information so communities can better prepare for and respond to e…
2021 Northwest Heat Dome: Causes, Impacts and Future Outlook
2021 Northwest Heat Dome: Causes, Impacts and Future Outlook
Here at the Northwest Climate Hub, we recognize that extreme weather events and effects of climate change may have caused damage or distress to many of our readers. Reading about extreme weather events maybe triggering so if you are suffering from
mental health impacts because of climate change
, please reach out to the
Disaster Distress Helpline
.
A map of the magnitude of temperature anomalies–temperature that was higher or lower than the long-term average-that occurred during the 2021 heat dome.
NASA Earth Observatory
.
In the summer of 2021, the Northwest experienced record-breaking high temperatures from late June through mid-July. The heat wave affected Oregon, Washington, Idaho, northern California, western Nevada, and British Columbia. Temperature records were
broken by several degrees in many cities in the Northwest
. In 2021, it was one of the
most extreme events recorded globally
. The regional average daily maximum temperature was nearly 30°F hotter than the mean of the hottest 3 months in the previous decade, and the highest temperature was 61°F hotter (see map below, note map is in Celsius). Canada recorded…
Heat and health - World Health Organization (WHO)
Heat and health - World Health Organization (WHO)
Key facts
Heat is an important environmental and occupational health hazard. Heat stress is a leading cause of weather-related deaths and can exacerbate underlying illnesses including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health, asthma, and can increase the risk of accidents and transmission of some infectious diseases. Heatstroke is a medical emergency with a high-case fatality rate.
The number of people exposed to extreme heat is growing exponentially due to climate change in all world regions. Heat-related mortality for people over 65 years of age increased by approximately 85% between 2000–2004 and 2017–2021
(1)
.
Between 2000–2019 studies show approximately 489 000 heat-related deaths occur each year, with 45% of these in Asia and 36% in Europe
(2)
. In Europe alone in the summer of 2022, an estimated 61 672 heat-related excess deaths occurred
(3)
. High intensity heatwave events can bring high acute mortality; in 2003, 70 000 people in Europe died as a result of the June–August event. In 2010, 56 000 excess deaths occurred during a 44–day heatwave in the Russian Federation.
Vulnerability to heat is shaped by both physiolo…
The 'silent killer': what you need to know about heatwaves
The 'silent killer': what you need to know about heatwaves
Homepage
News
Spotlight
The ‘silent killer’: what you need to know about heatwaves
How spells of hot weather put us in danger and what measures we can take to protect ourselves
Tourists cool off in a fountain during a heatwave in Ronda. File picture: JORGE GUERRERO / AFP
Tue, 26 May, 2026 - 12:37
Ajit Niranjan
Heatwaves have grown hotter and stronger as the planet has warmed, making what doctors call a “silent killer” even more dangerous. How worried should we be about heat – and how can we stay safe as the
climate changes
?
How many people die from heat?
Hot weather
kills an estimated half a million people each year. The average annual death toll is greater than that from wars or terrorism, but smaller than that from cars or air pollution.
Despite this, heat is rarely listed as the cause of death.
That’s because extreme temperatures are largely indirect killers. Most heat victims die early from illnesses – such as heart, lung and kidney disease – that are made worse in warm weather.
Read More
ieExplains: What is a heat dome? The phenomenon breaking temperature records across Europe
Weather 'time machine' shows…
Extreme heat map: US heat risk forecast | CNN
Extreme heat map: US heat risk forecast | CNN
Extreme temperatures
Federal agencies
See all topics
Facebook
Tweet
Email
Link
Threads
Link Copied!
Follow
High temperatures affect public health across wide swaths of the United States each summer, causing spikes in emergency room visits and
hundreds of heat-related deaths
. As temperatures rise, CNN is tracking extreme heat conditions and the potential risk for Americans each day.
To help prepare Americans for the dangerous temperatures, the National Weather Service and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has
a national forecast predicting heat-related risks.
It considers the severity and unusualness of forecast heat and its potential duration, while also factoring the likely impact on residents in specific locations based on CDC data for past effects, such as deaths.
This map shows the latest forecast.
The National Weather Service also produces multi-day apparent temperature
forecasts
, which take into account other factors such as wind and humidity to help explain what it “feels like” outside.
This map, updated each morning, shows that forecast across the contiguous US for the next three days:
CNN also uses this natio…
"High temperatures and extreme heat can cause children to become sick very quickly. It can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency."
#HeatS...
"High temperatures and extreme heat can cause children to become sick very quickly. It can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency."
#HeatSafety #HighTemperatures #ExtremeHeat #SafetyTips
www.healthychildren.org/English/safe...
“midst of dangerous & potentially record-breaking daytime temperatures .. a heat dome .. But nighttime temperatures are staying unusually warm, too, raising the risk of #HeatExhaustion and #HeatStroke...
“midst of dangerous & potentially record-breaking daytime temperatures .. a heat dome .. But nighttime temperatures are staying unusually warm, too, raising the risk of #HeatExhaustion and #HeatStroke even higher, especially for people without access to air conditioning.” www.npr.org/2026/07/02/n...
6 tips to stay safe — and active — in extreme heat
6 tips to stay safe — and active — in extreme heat
When summer starts with a stifling heat wave, asmany places are seeing in 2025, it can pose risks for just about anyone who spends time outside, whether they’re runners, people who walk or cycle to work, outdoor workers or kids playing sports.
Susan Yeargin, an expert on heat-related illnesses, explains what everyone should think about before spending time outside in a heat wave and how to keep yourself and vulnerable family members and friends safe.
The time of day matters if you’re going for a run, or if you’re walking or cycling to work during a heat wave. Early risers or evening runners face less of a risk — the sun isn’t as hot and the air temperature is lower.
But if your normal routine is to go for a run midmorning or over lunch, you probably want to rethink exercising in the heat.
Pretty much everywhere in the U.S.,the hottest part of the day is between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The body will gain heat from boththe air temperature and solar radiation. The ground also heats up, so you’ll feel more heat rising up from the asphalt or grass.
Addhumidity to the mixand that will also affect your body’s ability to dissipate heat…
Heat waves mess with your brain. Scientists are trying to figure out ...
Heat waves mess with your brain. Scientists are trying to figure out ...
It’s been hot in London this week. Really hot. A dangerous heat wave has hit Western Europe. Yesterday, the UK recorded its highest ever June temperature at 36.1 °C (about 97 °F). But as the weather app on my phone confirmed, itfelt like39 °C.
It’s frightening that we are seeing such temperatures in the UK in June. According to the Met Office, the country’s national weather and climate service,June temperatures peaked at an average 19 °C(66 °F) in England between 1991 and 2020. Across Europe, the heat wave is likely to causethousands of deaths. There will be other awful consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, and the health system.
But this week I want to look at what the heat does to our minds and brains. Personally, I’ve found it almost impossible to think straight. The heat is distracting and my mind is foggy. I dread to think about the conditions of people who work outdoors, in even hotter regions.
It’s not just exhaustion and confusion. The effects of heat on the brain can be deadly. And researchers are still trying to figure out why.
Studies have confirmed that as temperatures rise, people see…
Does Extreme Heat Raise the Risk of Child Harm at Home?
Does Extreme Heat Raise the Risk of Child Harm at Home?
Romeo Vitelli Ph.D.
Media Spotlight
Punishment
Does Extreme Heat Raise the Risk of Child Harm at Home?
New research links hotter days to harsher discipline and rising family stress.
Posted
November 18, 2025
|
Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer Ph.D.
Share
Tweet
Share on Bluesky
Share
Email
Key points
Hotter days are linked to increased severe physical punishment and psychological aggression toward children.
A 4°C rise above normal raised harsh punishment by up to 14%, with no change in nonviolent discipline.
Heat heightens irritability, making young children more vulnerable to caregiver stress.
Effects appeared across all families, showing that high temperatures undermine protective factors for kids.
As temperatures worldwide continue to rise, most news coverage of affected countries has focused on health problems like heat stroke and dehydration, as well as the strain these problems place on national health systems. But what about how dealing with rising heat affects people psychologically? Indeed, mounting evidence indicates that hot days could potentially heighten the risk of harsh home punishment for young children.
A recent mul…
Corroboration
No verdict, no pronouncement. The model extracts atomic factual claims with verbatim quotes; every quote is validated against the source text and corroboration is computed by counting how many editorially-opposed blocs assert each fact. 2 fabricated/unverifiable quotes were rejected by the cite-or-die gate.
The spine · 0 facts corroborated across ≥2 opposed blocs
No fact in this cluster crossed two opposed editorial blocs. The facts below are reported, but not (yet) independently corroborated across the divide.
Single-source · 8 — reported by one bloc only (uncorroborated)
Heat does not affect everyone equally.
bluesky
The most vulnerable groups to heat include outdoor workers, older adults, unhoused people, and people with chronic illness.
bluesky
These vulnerable groups often face danger well before official alert thresholds are reached.
bluesky
Heat is currently a climate risk, not only a future risk.
gavi.org
El Niño is a natural warming of part of the tropical Pacific that can shift weather patterns around the world.
gavi.org
El Niño is not the cause of climate change, but when it occurs in a climate already warmed by greenhouse‑gas pollution it can add another push to global temperatures and regional extremes.
gavi.org
Greenhouse gases have raised the baseline, so heatwaves now begin from a warmer starting point.
gavi.org
Heatwaves can damage hearts, kidneys, lungs and infrastructure.
gavi.org
Entities
World Health Organizationorg
GlobalHealthorg
Springerorg
Science Newsorg
Natureplace
Climate Resilience Centerorg