Heatwaves and Occupational Health: Emerging Risks and Adaptive Public Health Strategies under Climate Change—A Narrative Review

Wang, Xiaoli; Hu, Lihua; Zhang, Siyu; Hong, Shiyi; Zhu, Ziqi; Hu, Guiping; Jia, Guang

doi:10.3390/cli14040083

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Open AccessReview

Heatwaves and Occupational Health: Emerging Risks and Adaptive Public Health Strategies under Climate Change—A Narrative Review

by

Xiaoli Wang

^1,2,

Lihua Hu

^1,*,

Siyu Zhang

²,

Shiyi Hong

²,

Ziqi Zhu

²,

Guiping Hu

³ and

Guang Jia

^2,4

¹

Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China

²

Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China

³

School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China

⁴

Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Climate 2026, 14(4), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli14040083

Submission received: 15 February 2026 / Revised: 18 March 2026 / Accepted: 20 March 2026 / Published: 7 April 2026

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Abstract

Heatwaves, intensified by climate change and urbanization, pose increasing threats to human health, with occupational populations facing disproportionate risks due to prolonged exposure and high metabolic demands. Existing evidence remains fragmented, particularly regarding the integration of acute and chronic health effects in workplace settings. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on occupational heat exposure, highlighting emerging risks such as cumulative physiological strain, heat-related chronic diseases, and mental health impacts. We identify key occupational-specific pathways that amplify vulnerability beyond that of the general population. Despite growing awareness, substantial gaps persist in the implementation of effective adaptation strategies, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where regulatory, economic, and structural barriers limit intervention uptake. To address these challenges, we emphasize the need for adaptive work–rest scheduling, dynamic early warning systems, and cross-sectoral collaboration to enhance occupational heat resilience under a changing climate.

Keywords: extreme heat; heatwaves; health impact; occupational health; early warning system; narrative review

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MDPI and ACS Style

Wang, X.; Hu, L.; Zhang, S.; Hong, S.; Zhu, Z.; Hu, G.; Jia, G. Heatwaves and Occupational Health: Emerging Risks and Adaptive Public Health Strategies under Climate Change—A Narrative Review. Climate 2026, 14, 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli14040083

AMA Style

Wang X, Hu L, Zhang S, Hong S, Zhu Z, Hu G, Jia G. Heatwaves and Occupational Health: Emerging Risks and Adaptive Public Health Strategies under Climate Change—A Narrative Review. Climate. 2026; 14(4):83. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli14040083

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wang, Xiaoli, Lihua Hu, Siyu Zhang, Shiyi Hong, Ziqi Zhu, Guiping Hu, and Guang Jia. 2026. "Heatwaves and Occupational Health: Emerging Risks and Adaptive Public Health Strategies under Climate Change—A Narrative Review" Climate 14, no. 4: 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli14040083

APA Style

Wang, X., Hu, L., Zhang, S., Hong, S., Zhu, Z., Hu, G., & Jia, G. (2026). Heatwaves and Occupational Health: Emerging Risks and Adaptive Public Health Strategies under Climate Change—A Narrative Review. Climate, 14(4), 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli14040083

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Heatwaves and Occupational Health: Emerging Risks and Adaptive Public Health Strategies under Climate Change—A Narrative Review

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