November 13, 2025 - 148 views
A new report in Wales show a strong link between heat events and increased illness and death, with vulnerable groups being most affected.
Data from the summer of 2024 revealed spikes in hospital visits and GP consultations during periods of heat.
The findings emphasize the need for more research to understand the impact of heat on health, especially as temperatures continue to rise in Wales.
Public health experts recommend improved heat-health surveillance to protect communities.
Dr Behrooz Behbod, Consultant Epidemiologist at Public Health Wales, said: “As the climate warms globally, heat events will be more frequent and will likely cause more health-related impacts. By measuring the impact specifically on the health and care services in Wales then services will be able to be planned more effectively to enable greater resilience in future years.
“Other countries such as France, USA, and Australia have developed advanced surveillance systems based on more complex modelling, and we can learn a lot from these countries and adapt their methods to a Welsh context in our efforts to support climate adaptation work.”
