GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – World Health Organization has issued new guidance designed to help countries and organizers minimize heat-related health issues during mass gatherings. The advice applies to major sporting, religious, and cultural events. It emphasizes safeguarding spectators, workers, volunteers, and others exposed to high temperatures. The evidence review informing these recommendations analyzed studies published between 1980 and 2025. These studies reported nearly 500,000 medical encounters, with over 22,000 cases linked to heat.
Results show that well-prepared medical teams can treat most patients onsite without hospital transfers. More than 90% of individuals received care at the event when organizers had sufficient medical resources in place. Providing treatment on-site can reduce the burden on emergency rooms and ambulance services during large crowds. Consequently, the guidance highlights the importance of medical readiness along with access to water, cooling, sanitation, and crowd control. It also advocates for stronger coordination between public health authorities and event organizers.
Heat-related health risks are rising in many parts of the world. The guidance notes that deaths caused by heat have increased by about 63% since the 1990s. It cites an average of 546,000 heat-related deaths each year from 2012 to 2021. Large gatherings can heighten exposure because attendees often stay outdoors for extended periods. Crowded conditions, limited mobility, and high physical effort can amplify heat stress during extreme temperatures.
Event planning now includes heat safety measures
The recommendations emphasize providing safe drinking water, sufficient sanitation, and cooling zones at venues. Organizers should also plan around event timing, movement flow, and worker protection when temperatures are high. Effective communication is another key element. Health surveillance helps officials spot early signs of heat illness during the event. Trained medical teams can then respond promptly onsite. The World Health Organization states that heat safety should be integrated into overall event planning instead of relying solely on individual precautions.
The guidance package includes an implementation manual and a heat-risk assessment tool. These resources help with detailed planning before events and ongoing monitoring during gatherings. The framework covers preparation, risk reduction, and recovery. It can connect with existing emergency plans and occupational safety procedures. Organizers are encouraged to use these materials alongside national heat-health strategies where available. The advice suits various event sizes and formats, not just one type of gathering.
Research highlights importance of early prevention
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that hot extremes are more common and intense across most land regions since the 1950s. This trend underscores the need for heat planning at outdoor events with large crowds. Older adults and people with chronic illnesses face higher risks from heat. Those involved in intense physical activities also need extra protection. Workers and volunteers who support security, medical aid, transportation, and other services may be exposed for long periods.
The guidance incorporates heat preparedness into broader public health and emergency response strategies for mass gatherings. It urges authorities and organizers to evaluate conditions before, during, and after each event. Key measures include ensuring water availability, cooling options, surveillance, communication, and medical preparedness. They also address sanitation, worker safety, and crowd management. The overall focus is on prevention and timely onsite care. The guidance applies to sporting events, festivals, religious gatherings, and other large-scale functions where high temperatures pose health risks.