Heat Health Risks in the UK: Global Warming’s Impact on Britain

During 2022 – which saw the highest recorded temperature in England at 40.3°C – there were an estimated 2,985 so-called “excess deaths” as a result of the heat. Most heat-related excess deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes.  This heat wave that the UK is experiencing is causing serious problems—a series of issues that not only affect agriculture but also threaten lives.

The higher death rate starts to rise once the temperature reaches 25°C-26 °C. The evidence from previous heatwaves indicates that the increase in deaths occurs rapidly. It happened within the first 24 hours of a heatwave. The heat health risks in the UK are rising. In continuation, we try to shed light on the roots of this heat wave and the government’s responses to it.

Met Office Alert

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have issued an Amber heat-health alert (HHA) for five regions of England, raising the UK’s heat health risks. The West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, London, and East of England were under an amber heat health alert from 9 am (Tuesday, 12 August) until 6 pm on Wednesday, 13 August. Additionally, the Met Office issued a yellow HHA alert, which was also applicable to the North West and North East regions during the same period. The South West, Yorkshire and the Humber regions are already under a yellow HHA. This remains in place.

An Amber Alert means that weather impacts are affecting the entire health service. At this level, it may see some health impacts across the broader population. It may also increase the risk to health for individuals aged 65 years or older. It may also affect those with pre-existing health conditions. It includes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

People are at risk due to heat

The new analysis also shows thousands of young children, hospital patients, and older adults are at risk as temperatures climb once again, with health alerts in force around the UK. The findings, which have been mapped, identified 4,715 high heat neighbourhoods across England. More than 10,000 nurseries, almost 10,000 care homes, and over 1,000 hospitals were within the at-risk zones.

Friends of the Earth undertook the new research about this issue. They are urging the UK government to take urgent action to protect those who are most at risk. The government said it was taking robust action to adapt to a changing climate. These actions are alongside becoming a “clean energy superpower”.  These are some solutions to the heat health risks in the UK. A recent survey by YouGov also showed public support for stronger measures. Measures that protect people from heatwaves and other extreme weather events. Eighty-one per cent think the government should develop a plan to protect those most at risk from extreme weather. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health warnings for the entire country of England. This condition warns of potential severe health effects.

Heat-Health Alert (HHA) system to address the heat health risks in the UK

The UKHSA and the Met Office co-developed the Heat-Health Alert (HHA) system.  This is part of their efforts to help people stay safe when temperatures rise. The HHA system provides early warning information to the public, the NHS, local authorities, and emergency responders about heat-related health risks that may occur during hot weather. Alerts are (yellow, amber, or red) to reflect the level of impact expected. This enables people to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and others from the heat health risks in the UK.

To understand how heat affects health, UKHSA publishes an annual report on heat mortality. It is now badged as Official Statistics. These reports estimate the number of additional heat wave deaths. These deaths occurred during periods of hot weather, known as heat-associated deaths. Comparing the number of deaths during heatwaves with the number that happened on other summertime days yields this result. While summer 2024 was one of the coolest in recent years, our latest annual heat mortality report provides important insights into how even moderately high temperatures can impact mortality during the summer.

New breakdowns of heat-associated deaths.

For the first time, researchers calculated the number of deaths for different settings. There are also new splits for local areas and for other underlying causes of death. This enables people to gain a clearer understanding of the health impacts of heat across the population.

The report also compares the number of heat-associated deaths in 2024 with what we would have predicted for 2024’s temperatures based on the historical relationship between temperature and deaths in England.  This indicates whether heat-associated deaths were higher or lower than expected. It is essential to know whether it was a hot or cool summer. Other factors that may influence the number of heat-related deaths include public awareness and how people respond during hot weather. It is also reconditioned, like a warm night. It can make it harder for the body to cool down and recover. It could also intensify the impact of the heat health risks in the UK.

More deaths occurred earlier in the summer than in the later heat episodes.

Importantly, significant heat-associated deaths were observed in 3 out of the four heat episodes. Even though the Met Office issued a yellow Heat-Health Alert (the lowest alert threshold) during these periods, these findings show that even moderate heat can result in serious health outcomes and mortality.

During four periods of heat in 2024, there were 1,311 heat-associated deaths in England. It was based on the observed temperatures and historical temperature-mortality trends. The highest mortality rates were in those 85 years and over. Those aged 75 to 84 years are the second most vulnerable.

Several factors have contributed to the persistent warmth.

It includes a dominant high-pressure system and a significant marine heatwave around the UK, enhancing air temperatures. Climate change is also contributing to the warming trend. The UK is experiencing a rate of approximately 0.25°C per decade. 2023, 2022 and 2018 are among the UK’s top ten warmest summers in records back to 1884. This means that the heat health risks in the UK are worsening.

Between 1991 and 2020, the summer temperature averaged 14.59°C. It was over 0.8°C more than the period 1961-1990. Climate projections indicate that future summers in the UK will become hotter and drier. This trend is already underway. Climate change has the power to turn previously unremarkable years into record-breaking ones, as baseline conditions steadily rise. This summer’s four heatwaves might once have passed as pleasant spells of warm weather. This is further emphasised by the heightened backdrop that climate change creates.