GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new recommendations aimed at minimizing heat-related health issues during large-scale events around the globe. These guidelines are designed for major sporting, religious, and cultural gatherings, addressing dangers faced by spectators, participants, volunteers, and staff exposed to extended periods of high temperatures. An extensive review of evidence revealed nearly half a million medical visits at mass gatherings documented in studies from 1980 through 2025, with over 22,000 cases involving heat-related conditions.
Findings show that well-organized medical support on-site can treat most cases without requiring hospital transfers. When organizers have robust medical systems in place, more than 90% of affected individuals can receive care at the event location. This approach alleviates the burden on local hospitals and ambulance services. These insights are part of a comprehensive toolkit provided for governments, organizers, and health authorities, combining research findings with practical tools for assessing and mitigating heat risks before and during major events.
According to the guidance, heat-related fatalities have risen by an estimated 63% since the 1990s. On average, 546,000 deaths linked to heat occur annually between 2012 and 2021. Crowds gathered outdoors for long durations in high temperatures can increase heat exposure. Additional factors such as limited access to water, restricted movement, and travel-related stress can compound these risks. The high demand for health services during large events can also complicate medical response efforts.
Incorporating heat mitigation into event management
The guidelines emphasize the importance of providing easily accessible drinking water, sufficient sanitation facilities, and cooling infrastructure at venues. They also recommend adjusting schedules, improving crowd management, and implementing protective measures for event staff. Organizers are encouraged to incorporate public communication strategies, real-time health monitoring, and ready medical services into their planning processes. WHO stresses that heat protection should be integrated throughout the event, not solely reliant on individual actions. Factors such as venue design, transportation, security, and sanitation significantly influence access to cooling and medical care.
This new package features systematic reviews, an implementation guide, and a specialized heat-risk assessment tool. It also includes resources for creating evidence-based public messaging during high-temperature periods. The assessment tool allows for structured, repeatable evaluations before and during events. The overall framework covers preparation, impact mitigation, and recovery phases. Organizers can align these measures with existing emergency protocols, occupational safety standards, and national heat-health action plans.
Supporting evidence underscores the need for early heat precautions
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified an increase in the frequency and severity of hot extremes across most land regions since the 1950s. Elevated temperatures pose additional health risks during outdoor or crowded gatherings. Vulnerable populations such as older adults, individuals with chronic health issues, and those engaged in physical activities face greater danger. Workers and volunteers who spend prolonged periods outside providing security, transportation, medical, or logistical support are also at heightened risk.
The guidance advocates for integrating heat management into broader public health and emergency preparedness strategies for mass gatherings. It urges authorities and organizers to continuously assess conditions throughout the event cycle and coordinate health protections with operational planning. These measures are applicable to a variety of events, including international sporting competitions, festivals, and religious ceremonies. The framework emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and on-site care, while complementing existing national systems for heat-related health issues, emergency responses, and clinical management.