Heat related health inequalities are rising

This summer has been the world’s warmest, by a large margin.1 The UK experienced its hottest ever June and a record seven consecutive days of 30°C or above in September.2 In the words of UN secretary general Antonio Gutierrez, we are now in the age of “global boiling.”3Climate change has impacts on health and health inequalities—directly and indirectly. A 2020 UCL Institute of Health Equity (IHE) report warned that climate change will widen health inequalities in the future unless we take urgent action.4 Fortunately, the action we take to reduce greenhouse gases can also promote health equity.Extreme temperatures in either direction—below 5°C and above 25°C—are associated with the greatest risk of mortality.5 The link between cold temperatures and health inequalities is well established,6 with fuel poverty and cold homes disproportionately affecting more deprived communities. Although the link between health inequalities and excessive heat is less clear, there is growing evidence…
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