HIBAPRESS-RABAT-WHO
A heat wave is a period of locally accumulated excess heat over a series of unusually warm days and nights. The frequency, duration, intensity, and magnitude of heat waves and prolonged excessive heat events are increasing due to climate change. Even mild to moderate heat waves can impact the health and well-being of vulnerable populations.
Who is concerned ?
In tropical and subtropical climates, many populations are chronically exposed to high temperatures. In mid- to high latitudes, population exposure to excess heat is seasonal.
Individual vulnerability to heat taking into account physiological or clinical factors in adults is well described
Heat can negatively impact health through a variety of direct and indirect mechanisms. However, there is little research on the impact of chronic (sustained) exposure to high temperatures and humidity.
Manual workers and those who work outdoors, athletes and civil protection workers are exposed to excessive heat due to their work and to heat stress related to physical activity.
The urban and rural poor are often disproportionately exposed to extreme heat due to poor housing quality and lack of access to air conditioning.
Due to building materials, heat is often greater in informal settlements than in other urban areas in some cities. Gender can play an important role in determining heat exposure, for example when it is mainly women who are responsible for cooking food inside homes in hot weather.
