Jul 3, 2024 · Wildfires are increasing around the globe in frequency, severity and duration, heightening the need to understand the health effects of wildfire exposure. The risk of wildfires grows in extremely dry conditions, such as drought, heat waves and during high winds.

Jun 16, 2023 · Keeping safe from wildfires is a joint effort of individuals, communities and relevant authorities, including the health sector. Prolonged heat exposure can exacerbate existing conditions. It is important that the following interventions are available for at-risk people to access: early information on wildfire hazards, including weather forecasts;

Dec 8, 2021 · Several countries across the WHO European Region – including Albania, Greece, Israel, Italy, North Macedonia and Turkey – are experiencing severe wildfires that are posing a health risk to people and communities. The fires are caused by both excessive heat during heatwaves combined with strong winds and by man-made factors. WHO/Europe stands ready …

Jan 1, 2018 · Severe drought can also affect air quality by making wildfires and dust storms more likely, increasing health risk in people already impacted by lung diseases, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or with heart disease.

Nov 9, 2023 · The El Niño-related drought of 1997 contributed to the exacerbation of forest fires in Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia. In 2015, air quality in 6 South-East Asian countries was impacted by wildfires exacerbated by El Niño-related drought, including Indonesia where a state of emergency was declared due to hazardous air quality. Extreme heat

Dec 26, 2023 · And 2023 had its share of those: earthquakes in Afghanistan, Nepal, Syria and Türkiye; devastating floods in Libya, Pakistan and South Sudan; heatwaves, wildfires, drought and more. Deploying emergency medical teams, sending emergency medical aid and helping countries cope with the mid- and long-term health impacts of these: this is some of ...

Oct 12, 2023 · As climatic conditions change, more frequent and intensifying weather and climate events are observed, including storms, extreme heat, floods, droughts and wildfires. These weather and climate hazards affect health both directly and indirectly, increasing the risk of deaths, noncommunicable diseases, the emergence and spread of infectious ...

Jan 30, 2024 · land previously burned by wildfires; land that has been modified due to human activity, such as deforestation or construction; channels along a stream or river; any area were surface runoff is directed or land is heavily saturated. Between 1998-2017, landslides affected an estimated 4.8 million people and cause more than 18 000 deaths.

Sep 22, 2021 · Clean air is fundamental to health. Compared to 15 years ago, when the previous edition of these guidelines was published, there is now a much stronger body of evidence to show how air pollution affects different aspects of health at even lower concentrations than previously understood. But here’s what hasn’t changed: every year, exposure to air pollution is still …

Apr 8, 2021 · Separate checklists are provided for a range of climate hazards: floods; storms; sea-level rise; droughts; heat waves; wildfires; and cold waves. Each checklist focuses on the following areas to assess vulnerability in health care facilities: Identify climate hazards of concern.