Wellcome responds to new WHO-WMO report on worker heat stress
Wellcome's Madeleine Thomson responds to a new joint report from WHO and WMO on the health impact of climate change-driven heat stress on workers
1-minute read
1-minute read
Dr Madeleine Thomson, Head of Climate Impacts & Adaptation, said:
“The health and wellbeing threat to workers from extreme heat goes far beyond heat stress - rising temperatures are linked to heart disease, kidney failure, pregnancy complications, and poor mental health. And these health impacts affect economies and healthcare systems, and yet we remain dangerously unprepared.
“Innovative research that brings together climate science and health is increasingly revealing how significantly climate change affects our health and wellbeing, and provides the critical evidence that underpins this important new WHO-WMO report.
“Governments and employers must act now by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and putting protections in place for those most at risk - such as adapting work schedules, regular access to shaded areas and rehydration. The longer we delay action, the greater the threat to lives and livelihoods."
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