Reflections on the Evolution of Heat Alert Systems into Heat Health Risk Warning Systems

The frequent occurrence of extreme heat events in the context of global warming poses a serious threat to public health. Increasing evidence has highlighted the limitations of China's traditional early heat warning system, including an overemphasis on meteorological factors, the absence of health risk assessments, limited regional adaptability, and a disconnect between observations and public perception. These shortcomings hinder the ability of the system to meet the growing demand for precise health protection warnings and initiatives. Consequently, the development of an early warning system that focuses on the health risks of high temperatures has emerged as a critical strategy for addressing climate change-related health impacts. This study systematically reviews the existing standards and service limitations of heat warning systems in China and analyzes the necessity of advancing research on and applications of health-oriented heat risk warnings. In the future, the broader social scope of such meteorological warning systems is expected to transform them into health risk assessment systems that benefit the entire population.