Google users can now get health tips to be safe from extremely hot weather

04 / 09 / 2023

By Marwa Nassar - -

Google users in 200 countries can now get health tips about how to be safe in extremely hot weather.

The simple, evidence-based tips on how to optimize personal heat resilience were developed by Network members representing the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)-World Health Organization (WHO) Joint Office for Climate and Health, Global Disaster Preparedness Center and Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center, and the University of Sydney Heat and Health Research Incubator.

“Extreme heat is a major threat, as we have seen repeatedly this year, especially in July which was the hottest month ever recorded. While the exact numbers of people killed or made seriously ill from heat is difficult to assess at the global level, we know that far too many people are impacted. Every heat death is preventable with simple and often low-cost interventions,” said Joy Shumake-Guillemot, Lead of the WMO-WHO Joint Office on Climate and Health.

“Knowing the signs of heat illness and having a plan to keep yourself and others safe in hot weather are the cornerstones of heat safety,” said Shumake-Guillemot, who is one of the pioneers of the Global Heat health Information Network, “Climate change means that we will experience more extreme heat more frequently. Urbanization and aging populations are increasing the risk. We need to be prepared.”

The Google initiative is in line with the international Early Warnings for All campaign to ensure that everyone has access to life-saving early warnings about dangerous weather. WMO is one of the leaders of Early Warnings for All, which embraces the private sector and seeks leverage the reach of IT companies such as Google, Microsoft and IBM.

National meteorological and hydrological services are responsible for issuing authoritative warnings of high-impact weather and work closely with health authorities to inform heat-health action plans.

“Translating our research outcomes into changes in policy and practice is an essential part of the work that the Heat and Health Research Incubator does. This collaboration gives us an opportunity to place the findings of our research on optimal cooling strategies for the most vulnerable, in the hands of potentially hundreds of millions of people worldwide, at the time when they need it the most,” said Professor Ollie Jay, Director of the Heat and Health Incubator at the University of Sydney, Australia.