The risk of death rises 16 percent above normal levels during severe heat wave alerts, when the heat index exceeds 38 degrees Celsius, according to Korea's disease control agency. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has for the first time developed tailored guidelines to prevent heat-related illness among vulnerable groups, including the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions.
The KDCA said Tuesday that it released an in-depth analysis of how heat waves affect health and the characteristics of heat illness patients, and that it will distribute eight sets of prevention guidelines tailored to vulnerable groups based on the findings.
According to the agency's analysis of Korea Meteorological Administration temperature data and national mortality statistics from 2016 to 2024, the overall risk of death was 1.16 times higher than normal during severe heat wave alerts, when the heat index reaches 38 degrees. The risk of death from cardiovascular disease also rose to 1.14 times.
The risk of heat illness becoming severe was found to be particularly high among the elderly, people with underlying conditions, and socioeconomically vulnerable groups. Those aged 65 and older were about twice as likely to face hospitalization or death compared with those under 30, and the risk of severe illness was 1.5 times higher for those with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, or kidney disease. Basic livelihood recipients, foreign residents, and people living alone were also relatively more likely to have heat illness worsen into severe cases.
By gender, men generally faced a higher risk of severe illness, but there was no difference between men and women aged 65 and older, indicating that the elderly need special caution regardless of gender.
Based on the analysis, the KDCA developed tailored guidelines for eight vulnerable groups: the elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant women, children, patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, kidney disease patients, diabetes patients, and patients with high or low blood pressure.
As a common principle, the agency presented "water, shade, and rest." It advised the elderly to drink water regularly even when not feeling thirsty and to make active use of cooling devices. It urged them to avoid outdoor activity during the middle of the day as much as possible, and to take sufficient rest if going out is unavoidable. It advised patients with underlying conditions not to stop taking medication on their own because of the heat, but to manage their medication plans through consultation with medical staff.
The KDCA plans to produce the guidelines as posters and distribute them to local governments, public health centers, and related agencies, as well as post them on its website. "Through this analysis, we have identified the groups that are especially vulnerable to heat waves," KDCA Commissioner Lim Seung-kwan said. "I hope that not only communities and families pay attention, but that those vulnerable to heat waves also actively practice tailored prevention guidelines to spend a healthy summer."
