HiUm - Heat and health: Status of the implementation of adaptation measures
Project Abstract
Increasing heat stress poses a risk to human health. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), together with other federal agencies, is implementing the measure "Information and recommendations for protection against heat" as part of the second federal Adaptation to climate change action plan in Switzerland (2020 - 2025).
The focus of the measure to date has been on developing a knowledge base and providing information and recommendations on protection against heat. The target groups are vulnerable population groups as well as experts and authorities who are committed to protecting the population from heat-related risks.
Swiss TPH is analyzing the concrete implementation of health-related heat protection measures in the healthcare sector between 2023 and 2026. Four surveys are being conducted among the population, the authorities and healthcare professionals on the topic of heat and health. The aims are to determine the status of implementation, identify implementation gaps and formulate recommendations for stakeholders.
In 2023, Swiss TPH conducted a telephone survey among the population aged 50 and over on their individual heat literacy. Respondents knew on average only three of eight recommended heat-protection measures, and implemented about two, with basic actions like drinking fluids being well known while measures such as medication adjustment or avoiding alcohol were largely unknown. The report is available in German and French. A summary is also available in Italian.
In 2024, Swiss TPH conducted an online survey among the health authorities of the cantons and selected cities (Zurich, Bern, St. Gallen, Lausanne, Geneva and Lugano). The survey shows that the cantons and larger cities are
increasingly intensifying their efforts in health-related heat protection, with 18 of the 26 cantonal health authorities involved in the implementation of heat protection measures. Eight cantons have introduced heat-health action plans (GE, VD, VS, FR, NE, JU, BS, TI), which fulfil at least five of the eight core elements of a heat-health action plan according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. See the linked report (in German or French with summaries in Italian and English) for more information.
In 2025, Swiss TPH conducted an online survey among health professionals in Switzerland. The synthesis of the results is currently ongoing.
In 2026, Swiss TPH will conduct a survey among Swiss hospitals (the exact target groups and aims have yet to be determined).
Related Publications
All PublicationsMartucci C, Röösli M, Ragettli M. Hitzekompetenz der Bevölkerung 50+ in der Schweiz: Wissen, Betroffenheit, Handeln im Sommer 2023. Allschwil: Swiss TPH, 2024
Ragettli M, Luyten A, Martucci C. Stand der Umsetzung von gesundheitlichen Hitzeschutzmassnahmen in der Schweiz: Erhebung 2 - Hitzeaktionspläne und Engagement der Gesundheitsbehörden Befragung der Gesundheitsdepartemente derKantone und ausgewählten Städten in 2024. Bern: Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU) und Bundesamt für Gesundheit (BAG), 2025