New policy guide provides roadmap to address extreme heat through a health equity lens

In partnership with Southwestern Public Health (SWPH), the University of Waterloo Climate Institute has released a new policy guide to inform the health impacts of extreme heat, while recognizing not all people are impacted in the same ways.

Titled A Policy Guide of Best Practices: Addressing Extreme Heat Through a Health Equity Lens, the guide offers a clear roadmap for public health units, municipalities, planners, and community partners to reduce heat‑related health harms, particularly for populations facing heightened vulnerability.

“Extreme heat is one of the most pressing and inequitable climate‑related health risks communities face,” said Yuki Yeung, Graduate Research Assistant, Waterloo Climate Institute. “This guide brings together global evidence, Canadian examples, and applied public health experience to support decision‑makers in implementing heat adaptation policies that are not only effective, but equitable.”

The guide emphasizes that extreme heat does not affect all populations equally. Older adults, young children, outdoor workers, people experiencing homelessness, and communities facing social, economic, or structural barriers are more likely to experience negative health outcomes during heat events. Factors such as housing, income, access to cooling, and social connection shape people’s ability to stay safe during extreme heat.

“SWPH was pleased to partner on this project and bring a regional public health perspective to the research,” said Michelle Alvey, Health Promoter, Southwestern Public Health. “The guide aligns strongly with our Health Equity Framework and supports our ongoing work to protect communities from climate‑related health risks, particularly those most impacted by extreme heat.”

Developed through a review of international and Canadian best practices and surveys with public health and climate professionals, the guide identifies a broad range of policy and practice measures. These include heat action plans, access to cooling, built environment and housing strategies, workplace heat protections, public communication approaches, data and surveillance tools, and community‑based interventions.

The guide was led by the Waterloo Climate Institute as part of the HeatADAPT project, funded by Health Canada’s Climate Change and Health Capacity Building program. SWPH served as a key public health partner, contributing regional expertise, applied insights, and health equity leadership throughout the project.

The full report is available online and is intended as a resource for anyone involved in climate adaptation, health protection, and community planning.