Record-breaking heat putting UK public health at risk

One in five people in the UK have suffered ill health as a result of extreme heat in the past five years, new Imperial research has revealed.

The study from Imperial’s Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment comes as 2024 is confirmed as the hottest year on record, with the global average temperature exceeding 1.5°C above its pre-industrial level for the first time.

Heatwaves, often called "silent killers", are the deadliest extreme weather, as their dangers are less visible than storms or wildfires and often go underreported. People living in cities and the elderly are most at risk from physical and mental health impacts of high temperatures.

To understand how heat has affected people across the UK, a nationally representative sample of 897 people was asked to share their experiences of heatwaves and very hot weather. The research found that human-induced climate change risks heaping pressure on a struggling NHS and undermining workforce productivity. 

Over two thirds of respondents said they were concerned about rising temperatures, with a fifth reporting having experienced heat-related health impacts in the past five years. 

People with existing medical conditions, such as mental health or heart conditions, were twice as likely to suffer ill health during heatwaves, while more than 40% of respondents said they struggle to work during episodes of very hot weather. 

Today’s news that another global temperature record has fallen is a reminder of the risk the UK faces from extreme heat. If we fail to prepare, many more vulnerable people will suffer preventable deaths before this decade is out. Dr Neil Jennings Grantham Institute

Heatwaves are becoming more common and dangerous as the climate warms. In 2022, after UK temperatures exceeded 40°C for the first time, a study by World Weather Attribution at Imperial found that climate change made the extreme heat about 2°C hotter and 100 times more likely.

Dr Neil Jennings, who led the latest research, said the findings highlight the need to both improve preparation for heatwaves in the UK and cut emissions of planet-warming gasses:

“Our homes and workplaces were just not built for the extreme conditions that we’re experiencing today. Many older homes are poorly insulated, which makes them cold and damp in the winter and causes them to overheat in the summer, putting people at risk of health problems.

“Today’s news that another global temperature record has fallen is a reminder of the risk the UK faces from extreme heat. If we fail to prepare, many more vulnerable people will suffer preventable deaths before this decade is out.”

The report calls on the Government to increase its ambition on measures to help the UK adapt to a warming climate and reduce the risk of homes and workplaces overheating, including by strengthening standards for new buildings.

It also highlights the need to increase awareness of the health risks posed by extreme heat and better support people with pre-existing physical and mental health conditions before, during and after UK heatwaves.