Research Progress of Heat Wave and Human Health under the Background of Climate Change

In the context of climate change, the negative health impacts caused by high temperature and heat wave, along with the urban heat island effect, and by the wildfire-induced air pollution are intensifying. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and individuals with pre-existing chronic conditions are more sensitive to heat wave. In addition to directly increasing the incidence and mortality rate of heatstroke, high temperature and heat wave exert higher impact on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases than respiratory diseases. Particularly, the impact of heat wave and the joint exposure with atmospheric pollutants on respiratory diseases varies spatially across different countries and regions, which is much related to the local climate and economic development. In the future, it is necessary to conduct epidemiological studies in multiple cities with large sample sizes for the refined assessment on the impact of climate and population characteristics, urban public infrastructure development, and heat countermeasures on health effects. It is expected to provide reference for the formulation of localized climate change response strategies and intervention measures.