Research conducted by scientists from The George Institute for Global Health and Imperial College London has shed light on the impact of extreme heat events in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The study reveals significant gaps in gender representation within existing research, emphasizing the necessity for more inclusive policy planning to safeguard the health of vulnerable populations facing extreme heat.
Extreme heat events, commonly referred to as heat waves, have escalated in frequency and intensity globally due to climate change. Between 2007 and 2023, the average number of heat wave days worldwide surged from 12 to 19.3. The effects of these events are particularly pronounced in LMICs, where inadequate infrastructure and limited access to healthcare exacerbate the health risks associated with extreme temperatures.
Women, especially pregnant women, are at heightened risk during heat waves. They face not only potential pregnancy complications due to heat exposure but also social vulnerabilities, such as informal employment without adequate protections against extreme weather conditions.
Study Findings and Methodology
The research team conducted a review of studies published between 2013 and 2024, focusing on community-level heat adaptation interventions in LMICs. Of the analyzed literature, only five studies met the review criteria, originating from India, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Burkina Faso, and El Salvador. The interventions included strategies such as cool roofing, workplace policies that promote water and shade breaks, and community education programs aimed at disseminating information about heat risks.
The health outcomes evaluated in these studies included physiological indicators like heart rate, sleep quality, and behavioral changes in response to heat exposure. Additionally, the researchers assessed how gender was integrated into these studies using a scale recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) that ranges from “gender-blind” to “gender-transformative.” This assessment illuminated critical gaps in understanding and highlighted the need for gender-aware strategies in heat management.
Urgent Need for Inclusive Policies
The findings from this study underscore two key observations regarding heat-health interventions. First, policymakers currently lack robust evidence to determine which interventions should be prioritized or expanded. The prevailing view positions heat adaptation primarily as an infrastructure or climate issue, rather than a pressing public health concern.
Second, the study reveals significant gender disparities in the research, with most studies being gender-blind. According to a Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, “Our review shows that evidence on heat-health interventions in LMICs remains extremely limited, and gender is almost entirely absent in existing evaluations. As heat extremes intensify, we need adaptation strategies that reflect women’s lived realities and measure real health outcomes.”
Women’s involvement in heat adaptation interventions is crucial, as they often play a key role in community-based initiatives. Empowering women can significantly enhance the effectiveness of these interventions. The Program Director for Women’s Health at The George Institute noted, “This study highlights the urgent need to design climate adaptation interventions that consider the specific needs of everyone, especially women and girls.”
To effectively protect populations in LMICs, particularly women, against the impacts of heat waves, the study advocates for developing both structural solutions at the individual and community levels—such as shaded public areas and cool roofing. Moreover, integrating heat-related health considerations into existing healthcare frameworks, especially in maternal and primary health centres, is essential.
Identifying high-risk populations will enable equitable access to heat-relief strategies, which is increasingly vital. As extreme weather conditions are projected to worsen in the coming decade, extensive research into this area is imperative. Future initiatives must incorporate rigorous gender analyses and sex-segregated data to ensure that vulnerable populations in these countries receive adequate protection and support.
