Top Stories· August 17, 2026 at 10:03 a.m.
Majority of UK Residents Ignore Heat Alerts Despite Increasing Frequency
Key takeaways
- 41% of people in England ignored heat-health alerts
- Older individuals and those with long-term health conditions more likely to ignore alerts
- Dr. Nick Watts expressed concern about the effectiveness of warning systems
A study has revealed that approximately 41% of individuals in England who were alerted to heat-related health risks did not take any preventative measures. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of current warning systems as heatwaves become more frequent and severe.
The research, conducted by Public Health England, found that while many people are aware of the alerts, a significant number fail to act upon them.
'It is concerning that despite increasing awareness campaigns, a substantial proportion of the population still do not take action when heat-health warnings are issued,' said Dr. Nick Watts, director of Extreme Events and Health at the UK Health Security Agency.
The study also found that older people, those with long-term health conditions, and lower-income households were more likely to ignore the alerts.
'We need to ensure that our messages are reaching everyone, especially those most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses,' added Dr. Watts.
