Evaluation and Mitigation of Heatwave-Induced Health Risks in China: A Systematic Review

Heatwave events significantly impact human health, with China facing severe heat-related threats. This systematic review analyzes the spatial-temporal patterns of heatwave risk in China, the driving factors, and mitigation measures. Limitations and future development of heat action plans are also discussed. We applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach and searched for Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from 2014 to 2024. A total of 107 peer-reviewed articles in both English and Chinese were selected. The measurement of heatwaves varies widely, with the risk triangle of "hazard-exposure-vulnerability" being the most common assessment method. Heatwave risks present significant spatial-temporal patterns at city, regional, and national scales, driven by socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental factors. Mitigation strategies typically involve climate-sensitive planning, public campaigns, and public health interventions. Despite notable progress in heatwave risk assessment in China, further efforts are needed, including compound-risk assessment, mechanism analysis, multiscale assessment, improved evaluation method, and the development of systematic heat health action plans. Findings of this review provide a scientific foundation for location-based policies and offer references for other developing countries to address extreme heat.