GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidance aimed at minimizing heat-related health issues during mass gatherings around the globe. The recommendations target major sporting, religious, and cultural events, addressing risks faced by spectators, participants, volunteers, and staff exposed to sustained high temperatures. An updated review of evidence identified nearly 500,000 medical encounters at mass gatherings in studies published from 1980 through 2025, with over 22,000 cases involving heat-related conditions.
Findings indicate that well-organized medical services at event locations are capable of managing the majority of cases without requiring hospital transfers. More than 90% of patients received treatment at the event site when organizers had established on-site medical facilities. This strategy can ease the burden on nearby hospitals and ambulance services. These insights contribute to a comprehensive toolkit for governments, organizers, and health authorities, blending research findings with practical tools for evaluating and managing heat risks before and during large events.
According to the guidance, heat-related fatalities have risen by approximately 63% since the 1990s. Between 2012 and 2021, an average of 546,000 deaths each year were attributed to heat. Crowded environments increase the likelihood of heat exposure, especially when individuals are outdoors for extended periods in elevated temperatures. Additional factors such as limited access to water, restricted movement, and travel-related stress can heighten these dangers. The high demand for health services can further complicate medical response efforts during large-scale gatherings.
Integrating heat preparedness into event logistics
Recommendations include providing easily accessible drinking water, sufficient sanitation facilities, and cooling options at venues. The guidance also stresses adjusting event schedules, managing crowd movement more effectively, and implementing protective measures for staff. Organizers are advised to incorporate public outreach, real-time health monitoring, and ready medical services into their planning processes. WHO emphasizes that heat protection should be a comprehensive aspect of event management, rather than relying solely on individual precautions. Aspects such as venue design, transportation, security, and sanitation can influence access to cooling and medical care during events.
The package of resources includes systematic reviews, an operational manual, and a specialized heat-risk assessment instrument. It also offers guidance for crafting evidence-based public messages during periods of extreme heat. The assessment tool enables structured and repeatable reviews both before and during an event. The overarching framework addresses planning, impact mitigation, and recovery, allowing organizers to align these measures with existing emergency protocols, occupational safety standards, and national heat-health strategies.
Scientific evidence underscores the importance of early heat intervention
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has reported that extreme heat events have become more frequent and severe across most land regions since the 1950s. Elevated temperatures pose additional health challenges during outdoor gatherings or crowded settings. Vulnerable groups, including older adults, individuals with chronic illnesses, and those engaged in physical activity, face increased risk. Workers and volunteers may also spend prolonged periods outdoors performing security, transportation, medical, or logistical duties.
The guidance positions heat management as an integral part of broader public health and emergency preparedness efforts for mass events. It urges authorities and organizers to evaluate conditions throughout the entire event cycle and to coordinate health protection with operational planning. These measures are applicable to a range of gathering types and sizes, such as international sports competitions, festivals, and religious events. The focus remains on prevention, early intervention, and on-site medical care, complementing existing national systems for heat-related health responses, emergency management, and clinical treatment.