e-Bulletin July 2026
IN THE MEDIA |
Beating the Heat
A Call for Urgent Heat-Health Action Plan
As Hong Kong experiences summer temperatures exceeding 30°C and extreme heatwaves impact regions from France to India, Professor David Bishai, Clinical Professor and Head of the Division of Health Economics, Policy and Management at our School, highlights the urgent need for Hong Kong to develop a comprehensive heatwave response plan.
Drawing on his experience and research into heat-related excess deaths, Professor Bishai estimates that a comprehensive heat action plan could save 150–200 lives each summer in Hong Kong. He points out that high temperatures increase mortality risks for the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, while also increasing risks of premature birth for pregnant women.
While commending Hong Kong’s community heat-relief efforts by NGOs like the Red Cross and Society for Community Organization (SoCO), he recommends a cross-sector collaboration in planning similar to Hong Kong’s multi-sectoral typhoon response.
Professor Bishai urges Hong Kong to build on its success in managing typhoons to become a leader in protecting public health from the growing threat of extreme heat.
For details, please click here for the link to Mingpao (Chinese only).
