GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated guidance designed to lower the risk of heat-related health issues at mass gatherings around the globe. These guidelines apply to major sporting, religious, and cultural events and focus on protecting spectators, attendees, volunteers, and workers exposed to extended periods of high temperatures. An evidence review recently found nearly 500,000 medical encounters at mass gatherings documented in studies from 1980 to 2025, with over 22,000 cases related to heat illnesses.
According to the review, well-organized medical services at event locations are capable of managing most cases without the need for hospital transfers. When organizers have robust on-site medical infrastructure, more than 90% of patients receive treatment directly at the venue, reducing the load on local hospitals and ambulance services. These findings are part of a comprehensive package offered to governments, organizers, and health officials, combining research insights with practical tools for evaluating and controlling heat risks before and during large-scale events.
Since the 1990s, heat-related fatalities have risen by an estimated 63%, with an average of 546,000 deaths annually from 2012 to 2021, as indicated in the guidance. Crowded environments can heighten exposure to extreme heat, especially when people remain outdoors for prolonged periods. Additional dangers include limited access to water, restricted mobility, and stress from travel, all of which compound the risks. Demand for health services during large events can further challenge medical responses.
Heat preparedness now integrated into event planning
Recommendations from the guidance include ensuring venues have accessible drinking water, sufficient toilets, and cooling infrastructure. It emphasizes the importance of adjusting event schedules, managing crowd flow effectively, and implementing protective measures for staff working at the event. Organizers are encouraged to communicate clearly with the public, utilize real-time health monitoring, and prepare medical services ahead of time. WHO states that heat protection should be a comprehensive part of the entire event process, rather than relying solely on individual behavior. Factors like venue design, transportation, security, and sanitation are all crucial in facilitating access to cooling and medical care.
This new guidance package features systematic reviews, an implementation manual, and a specific heat-risk assessment tool. It offers materials for crafting evidence-based public health messages during periods of high heat. The assessment tool enables structured, repeatable evaluations before and during events. The overall framework encompasses planning, impact reduction, and recovery efforts. Organizers can incorporate these measures into existing emergency response plans, occupational safety protocols, and national heat-health strategies.
Research underscores the importance of early heat precautions
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded that extreme heat events have become more frequent and severe across most terrestrial regions since the 1950s. Elevated temperatures pose additional health risks during outdoor gatherings or crowded venues, especially for vulnerable groups such as older adults, individuals with chronic illnesses, and those engaging in physical activity. Workers and volunteers spending extended hours outside providing security, transportation, medical, or logistical support are also at increased risk.
The guidance emphasizes that heat management should be part of broader public health and emergency planning for mass gatherings. It urges authorities and organizers to evaluate conditions throughout the event lifecycle and coordinate health safety measures with operational planning. The recommendations are relevant for a variety of gatherings, including international sports competitions, festivals, and religious events. The focus remains on prevention, early intervention, and on-site medical care while reinforcing existing national systems for heat-health management, emergency response, and clinical treatment.