GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated recommendations aimed at minimizing heat-related health issues during major gatherings worldwide. The guidance targets prominent sporting, religious, and cultural events, focusing on protecting spectators, participants, volunteers, and workers exposed to high temperatures for extended periods. An extensive review of evidence from studies published from 1980 through 2025 identified nearly 500,000 medical encounters at mass gatherings, with over 22,000 involving heat-related conditions.
The review indicates that well-organized on-site medical services can manage most cases without requiring hospital transfers. When event organizers establish robust medical systems on-site, over 90% of patients can be treated at the venue. This strategy alleviates pressure on local hospitals and ambulance services. The recommendations are part of a comprehensive toolkit designed for governments, organizers, and health authorities, combining research with practical assessment tools to evaluate and manage heat risks before and during major events.
According to the guidance, heat-related fatalities have risen by an estimated 63% since the 1990s. From 2012 to 2021, an average of 546,000 deaths annually were attributed to heat. Crowded settings can intensify exposure as individuals spend prolonged periods outdoors under extreme heat. Contributing factors such as limited water access, restricted mobility, and travel-related stress further increase risks. The high demand on health services during large events can also hinder effective medical responses.
Incorporating heat mitigation into event planning and operations
The guidance advocates for measures like providing accessible drinking water, sufficient sanitation facilities, and cooling infrastructure at venues. It emphasizes the importance of adjusting event schedules, managing crowd flow, and implementing protective measures for staff. Planning should include public messaging, real-time health monitoring, and ready medical support. WHO stresses that heat protection must be integrated into the entire event process, not solely reliant on individual actions. Factors such as venue layout, transportation, security, and sanitation influence access to cooling and medical services.
The package encompasses systematic reviews, an implementation manual, and a heat-risk assessment tool. It offers resources for crafting evidence-based public messages during heat waves. The assessment tool enables structured, repeatable evaluations before and during events. The overall framework covers preparation, impact mitigation, and recovery, allowing organizers to incorporate these measures into existing emergency protocols, occupational safety standards, and national heat-health strategies.
Supporting evidence underscores the importance of early heat precautions
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that extreme hot conditions have become more frequent and severe across most land regions since the 1950s. Increased heat presents additional health risks during outdoor or crowded events, especially for vulnerable groups such as older adults, individuals with chronic conditions, and those engaged in physical activity. Workers and volunteers operating outdoors for extended durations, including security, transport, and medical personnel, are also at heightened risk.
This guidance frames heat management as an integral part of broader public health and emergency preparedness for mass gatherings. It encourages authorities and organizers to continuously assess conditions and coordinate health protection strategies throughout the event lifecycle. The measures are applicable to various types and sizes of gatherings, including international sports competitions, festivals, and religious celebrations. Emphasizing prevention, early intervention, and on-site care, the package supports existing national systems for heat-related health management, emergency response, and clinical treatment.