Temperature extremes in a changing climate: From early warnings to impacts on healthcare

Temperature extremes, including heatwaves and cold spells, can have severe societal consequences, notably increased mortality and morbidity. These health impacts place substantial strain on healthcare systems, leading to sudden surges in hospital admissions and heightened demand for inpatient beds. At the same time, temperature extremes are among the most predictable natural hazards, often identifiable with lead times of several weeks. Nevertheless, even countries with well-developed healthcare systems struggle to cope with the resulting burden. Consequently, multiple sectors could benefit from a deeper understanding of the process chain that links temperature extremes to health impacts and the resulting stresses on the healthcare system. Effective policies addressing temperature-related risks have the potential to support several sectors, but they require a well-established framework encompassing prediction, detection, early warning systems, integration with healthcare services, and an assessment of the associated additional costs. This contribution examines the extent to which this process chain is currently understood and identifies opportunities for further improvement.