As Europe counts more than 16,000 excess deaths linked to this summer's extreme heat, the European Union's health security committee is pressing governments to move beyond reactive emergency responses. In an opinion adopted on 30 July, the committee argues that the continent—warming faster than any other—needs a fundamental shift toward systematic, long-term planning.
A continent underprepared
The committee, which coordinates preparedness for serious cross-border health threats, warns that public health systems in many EU member states are "insufficiently prepared" for prolonged periods of high temperatures. Its recommendations call for a "cross-sectoral, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach," combining short-, medium-, and long-term measures.
The health toll extends well beyond heatstroke. Extended heatwaves increase mortality, worsen chronic conditions, and put additional strain on hospitals and clinics. They also affect plant and animal health, with knock-on effects for livelihoods and mental wellbeing. The risk of wildfires rises too, bringing deteriorating air quality, damage to critical infrastructure, and environmental degradation—issues that Europe's recent wildfire season has already exposed.
Who is most at risk?
Older people, children, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers, and other vulnerable groups face the greatest danger. The committee urges member countries to strengthen coordination across government departments and public authorities, and to ensure that Heat-Health Action Plans are regularly updated and developed jointly by public health and civil protection agencies.
Better information sharing through the EU's Early Warning and Response System is also a priority. The committee calls for evidence-based measures to protect children, workers exposed to high temperatures, and people attending large public events—concerns that become more pressing as tourists increasingly head north to escape the heat.
Training and communication
Healthcare professionals need dedicated training to recognise and manage heat-related illnesses, the opinion states. Public communication should be improved with multilingual advice aimed at tourists and seasonal, cross-border, and transport workers. The committee also highlights persistent data gaps and calls for a stronger evidence base through the European Climate and Health Observatory.
The message is stark: Europe is not ready for the heatwaves that climate change will bring. As June's heatwave already showed record temperatures and crop losses, the committee's recommendations offer a roadmap for resilience—but only if governments act now, rather than waiting for the next emergency.
