Global Heat Health Information Network, Objectives, Activities, Initiatives

The Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN) is a voluntary, member-driven global platform that works to reduce the growing health risks associated with extreme heat. It brings together scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to strengthen preparedness, improve knowledge sharing, and promote coordinated action in the face of rising temperatures due to climate change.

About Global Heat Health Information Network

The Global Heat Health Information Network is a voluntary, member-driven global platform focused on reducing the health risks of extreme heat in the context of climate change.

• It was launched in 2016 by the World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• The Network brings together scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and institutions to improve preparedness and response to heat-related health risks.
• Its core aim is to protect populations from preventable health impacts of extreme heat, especially in vulnerable regions.
• It acts as a global knowledge-sharing platform, providing research, case studies, and policy guidance on heat-health management.
• GHHIN promotes the development of Heat Action Plans (HAPs) and supports early warning systems that combine weather forecasts with health advisories.
• It organizes global and regional forums, training programmes, and knowledge exchanges to build capacity among stakeholders.

Global Heat Health Information Network Vision and Core Objectives 

The vision of the Global Heat Health Information Network is to improve the capacity of professionals, organizations, and governments to protect populations from the preventable health impacts of extreme ambient heat, and this by: 

• Creating a common space to promote evidence-driven interventions, shared-learning, co-production of information, synthesis of priorities, and capacity building that can empower multi-disciplinary actors to take more effective and informed life-saving preparedness and planning measures.
• Being a catalyst, knowledge broker and forum for facilitating exchange and identifying needs of the most vulnerable

‹ ›

Global Heat Health Information Network Structure

Global Heat Health Information Network functions as a voluntary and flexible global network rather than a formal treaty-based institution. Its operations are coordinated by a Technical Support Unit hosted at the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, which manages activities, partnerships, and knowledge dissemination. The Network draws strength from its wide range of partners, including UN agencies, national meteorological services, public health institutions, universities, and private sector actors. Financial support is provided through government and philanthropic contributions, with a trust fund managed under WMO, ensuring sustained functioning and global outreach.

Five Pillars of Integrated Heat Health Action

The approach of Global Heat Health Information Network is grounded in five interrelated pillars that provide a comprehensive framework for addressing heat risks. 

• The first pillar focuses on partnerships and capacity building, strengthening collaboration across sectors and enhancing the capabilities of institutions and individuals from local to global levels.
• The second pillar emphasizes heat vulnerability and impact science, improving the understanding of risk factors through data, research, and monitoring to identify populations most at risk.
• The third pillar relates to extreme heat services, which include forecasting, early warning systems, and climate services that support timely decision-making and anticipatory action.
• The fourth pillar highlights interventions, promoting the implementation of evidence-based policies, infrastructure solutions, and public health measures to reduce heat exposure and risks.
• The fifth pillar centers on communication and outreach, ensuring that heat-related risks are effectively communicated through targeted awareness, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Global Heat Health Information Network Major Activities and Initiatives

Global Heat Health Information Network undertakes a wide range of activities to enhance global preparedness and response. 

• It organizes global and regional heat health forums, which serve as platforms for dialogue and knowledge exchange, with the first forum held in Hong Kong in 2018. 
• The Network also conducts training programmes, masterclasses, and learning exchanges to build capacity among stakeholders. 
• It provides extensive knowledge resources through its online platform, including country profiles, synthesis reports, and inventories of Heat Action Plans. 
• Additionally, it engages in science-to-policy processes, collaborative campaigns, and communication initiatives to ensure that research findings translate into effective public policies and community-level actions.