Health · 2026-10-21 · Afternoon briefing
Heatwaves put one billion children at risk, WHO warns
The World Health Organization has warned that over one billion children are exposed to increasingly severe heatwaves. In 2024 alone, children under one endured a fivefold increase in heatwave days compared to the 1986-2005 baseline, jumping from an average of four days per year to over 20.
The health risks are specific. The likelihood of a preterm birth increases by 26% during heatwaves, with a 4% rise for every one-degree increase in heat exposure. In response, four UN agencies, including the WHO and Unicef, have urged countries to develop tailored heat-health action plans and improve early-warning systems, particularly for pregnant women and newborns.
The agencies' primary challenge is a data deficit. Officials noted that without systematic tracking of outcomes like preterm births and child illnesses alongside heat exposure, health systems cannot formulate an effective response. The warning comes as the World Meteorological Organization confirmed Asia and Africa experienced their warmest July on record.
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- WHO Warns Of Rising Premature Birth Risk During Heatwaves
- New global framework launched to track increasing health risks of extreme heat for pregnant women, newborns and children
- Global Framework Tracks Extreme Heat Risks to Mothers, Children
- How to keep babies and children safe in heatwaves
- Economic Cost Of Summer Heatwaves Highlighted In New Research
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