By Jason KW Lee and Janice Y Ho, Heat Resilience and Performance Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore

The Heat Resilience & Performance Centre (HRPC) at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, is a globally connected first-class thermal research unit that aims to create holistic and forward-looking solutions that boost human resilience to rising ambient heat. On its agenda for 2025 are the following:

1. Advancing Regional Collaboration and Information-Sharing through its role as the GHHIN Southeast Asia Hub

Anchored at HRPC, the GHHIN Southeast Asia Hub aims to advance partnership, collaboration, and advocacy within Southeast Asia to protect and prepare for the impacts of heat on human health and well-being. The Hub was launched at the First GHHIN Southeast Asia Heat Health Forum on 7 January 2025 and is the first regional hub of the Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN), an UN-initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Joint Office for Climate and Health, and the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

With the success of the First GHHIN Southeast Asia Heat Health Forum (7-10 January 2025, Singapore) where 250 experts from diverse sectors convened, the Hub will foster further dialogue on the unique aspects of Southeast Asia’s heat challenge, and highlight key contributions from researchers, policymakers, and individuals from the region. The Hub will develop specific plans that focus on key thematic areas of Urban Heat, Heat at Work, and Traditional & Cultural Heat Management Practices while also supporting the role of media and communications and other topics in tackling heat-health issues. The GHHIN Southeast Asia Hub will forge strategic partnerships with key regional stakeholders to synchronize efforts in the region and initiate efforts in research and capacity building, science-to-action activities, and information sharing.

2. Updating the National Clinical Practice Guidelines for Heat Injury

Alongside the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) Singapore, HRPC is leading the review and update of the 2010 National Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Heat Injuries. These revised guidelines will provide the latest, evidence-based recommendations to promote informed practices and equip healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge on heat-related illnesses to enhance patient outcomes. Contextualised for Singapore, the guidelines will serve as a reference point for clinical decision-making and contribute to the country’s broader initiative to increase heat resilience. For example, the revised guidelines will include evidence-based strategies for prevention and early detection of heat injuries, and evidence-based treatment protocols that could potentially save lives.

Through these two agenda items and more, HRPC aims to catalyse further heat-resilient research and activities in the Southeast Asia region and beyond.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of AIDMI.