Urban Heat Stress and the Urban Heat Island Effect in Public Health and Climate Adaptation

Urban heat stress and the urban heat island (UHI) effect have become urgent public health and environmental issues in cities globally. Rapid urbanization increased impervious surfaces, and climate change are intensifying heat exposure, driving more frequent and severe heatwaves. These trends heighten the risk of heat-related illnesses, mortality, reduced labor productivity, mental health impacts, and economic losses, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Despite advances in remote sensing, predictive modelling, and smart city technologies for monitoring and mitigation, significant challenges remain—including limited adaptation strategies, inequitable access to cooling resources, and knowledge gaps in linking heat exposure to social, economic, and health outcomes. Addressing these issues is essential to building resilient and healthy urban communities. This Research Topic aims to tackle the multifaceted challenges of urban heat stress and the urban heat island effect, which increasingly threaten public health, wellbeing, and economic stability in urban areas. We seek to consolidate research that identifies risk and protective factors, evaluates interventions, and informs evidence-based policy and urban planning. By highlighting effective strategies and persistent gaps, this collection intends to support the development of climate-adaptive, equitable, and resilient urban environments in the context of a warming, urbanizing world. We welcome manuscripts addressing, but not limited to, the following themes: 1. Mechanisms and theoretical perspectives underpinning heat stress, urban heat accumulation, and human vulnerability 2.Disproportionate impacts of heat on vulnerable populations and strategies to reduce inequities 3.Health impacts of urban heat, including morbidity, mortality, mental health, and chronic diseases 4. The role of heat stress in accidents, workplace injuries, and safety outcomes 5. Economic consequences of urban heat exposure, including productivity and healthcare costs 6. Assessment of mitigation and adaptation strategies, such as urban greening, reflective surfaces, early warning systems, and public awareness campaigns 7. Technological innovations in remote sensing, predictive modelling, smart city applications, and high-resolution monitoring for planning and policy 8. Methods for assessing heat exposure, heat stress, and heat-health risk using environmental, spatial, social, and health dataTopic Editor Dr. Juma Rahman is co-founder of the New Zealand-based non-profit Research & Evaluation Office (REO) Topic editors: Juma Rahman, Uma Langkulsen, Bapon Fakhruddin Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79795/urban-heat-stress-and-the-urban-heat-island-effect-in-public-health-and-climate-adaptation