GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated recommendations aimed at minimizing heat-related health issues during large-scale events worldwide. These guidelines target major sporting, religious, and cultural gatherings, addressing hazards faced by spectators, participants, volunteers, and staff exposed to extended periods of high temperatures. An extensive review of evidence identified nearly 500,000 medical encounters at mass gatherings from studies published between 1980 and 2025, with over 22,000 cases involving heat-related conditions.
Findings suggest that well-organized on-site medical services can manage most heat-related cases without requiring hospital transfers. When event organizers establish robust medical facilities, over 90% of patients can be treated at the venue, alleviating pressure on local hospitals and ambulance services. These insights are part of a comprehensive toolkit designed for governments, organizers, and health officials, combining research findings with practical strategies to evaluate and mitigate heat risks before and during major events.
Since the 1990s, heat-related fatalities have risen by approximately 63%, with an average of 546,000 deaths annually from 2012 to 2021, according to the guidance. Crowds gathered outdoors for prolonged periods in high temperatures amplify exposure risks. Limited access to water, constrained movement, and travel-related stress can exacerbate these dangers. Increased demand on health services during large events can also hinder effective medical response efforts.
Integrating heat risk management into event planning
The guidance emphasizes the importance of providing accessible drinking water, sufficient sanitation facilities, and cooling infrastructure at event sites. It advocates for adjustments in scheduling, improved crowd control, and protective measures for staff. Organizers are encouraged to use public communications, real-time health monitoring, and prepared medical services as essential components of their planning. WHO stresses that heat protection should be incorporated into the entire event process, rather than relying solely on individual actions, as factors like venue design, transportation, security, and sanitation influence access to cooling and medical aid.
This comprehensive package features systematic reviews, an implementation guide, and a specific heat-risk assessment tool. It offers resources for crafting public messages during heatwaves and supports structured evaluations before and during events. The framework promotes preparation, impact mitigation, and recovery strategies, enabling organizers to align these measures with existing emergency protocols, occupational safety standards, and national heat-health plans.
Scientific evidence underscores the importance of 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 gatherings or in crowded settings, especially for vulnerable groups such as seniors, individuals with chronic illnesses, and those involved in physical activities. Workers and volunteers spending long hours outdoors in support roles also face heightened exposure.
The guidance integrates heat management into broader public health and emergency preparedness frameworks for mass gatherings. It urges authorities and organizers to continuously assess conditions and coordinate health protections throughout the event lifecycle. These measures are applicable to various types and sizes of gatherings, including international sporting events, festivals, and religious ceremonies. The focus remains on prevention, early intervention, and onsite care, complementing existing national systems for heat-related health issues, emergency response, and clinical management.