The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for stronger measures to protect people from heat-related illness at mass gatherings, warning that high temperatures can create serious health and operational risks for spectators, attendees, volunteers and workers.
The call follows the release of new WHO guidance on preventing and managing heat-related illness at major sporting, religious and cultural events. The guidance draws on evidence from mass gatherings around the world and emphasizes the need for organizers and authorities to identify and manage heat risks before they result in medical emergencies.
A WHO review covering studies published between 1980 and 2025 documented nearly 500,000 medical encounters at mass gatherings, including more than 22,000 cases of heat-related illness. However, the evidence also showed that when on-site medical systems are properly organized, more than 90% of patients can be treated at the event venue, potentially reducing pressure on hospitals and ambulance services.
Planning for Heat Before the Event
According to WHO, several conditions can increase the risk of heat-related illness at crowded events. These include spending long periods outdoors in hot weather, exposure to direct sunlight, dense crowds, limited access to safe drinking water and the additional strain that travel and large numbers of people can place on local health services.
WHO said heat protection should therefore form part of event planning from the beginning rather than relying mainly on individuals to protect themselves once temperatures become dangerous.
The new guidance recommends a combination of measures, including providing accessible safe drinking water and toilets, creating cooling infrastructure, adjusting event schedules where necessary and managing the movement of crowds.
It also calls for measures to protect event workers and volunteers, alongside clear public communication about heat risks. Real-time monitoring of conditions and properly prepared medical teams are also highlighted as important parts of the response.
WHO further emphasized that heat preparedness should cover the entire event cycle. Venue design, transportation, sanitation, security, crowd management and communication can all affect whether people have timely access to water, cooling and medical care.
The organization said its new resources are intended to support governments, event organizers and other partners in incorporating heat-risk management into health planning and emergency preparedness for mass gatherings.
The guidance comes amid growing concerns about the health effects of extreme heat. WHO noted that heat-related deaths have increased substantially since the 1990s, while hot extremes and heatwaves have also become more frequent and intense across many parts of the world.
READ: Europe Hit by Extreme Heat as Temperatures Soar Above
For organizers, WHO’s message is that protecting people from heat should not be an afterthought. Preparing for the risk before a crowd arrives can help reduce illness and ensure that those who do become unwell receive timely care.
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