HeatNexus Global Symposium: Advancing Science and Partnerships for Action

Extreme heat is rapidly emerging as one of the most significant — yet unevenly distributed — threats to human health. While rising temperatures affect everyone, their health impacts are far from equal. Older adults, outdoor and informal workers, people living in poor-quality housing, those with chronic illnesses, and communities with limited access to cooling, healthcare, or social protection face disproportionately higher risks.

This panel explores how heat-related health risks intersect with social, economic, and environmental inequities, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia and Malaysia. Drawing on perspectives from government, policy, research, and civil society, the discussion will examine who is most vulnerable to heat, why these vulnerabilities persist, and how current systems succeed — or fail — in protecting those at greatest risk.

Panellists will reflect on the role of health systems, policy frameworks, and community-level responses in addressing heat-related inequities, as well as the challenges of translating evidence into timely, equitable action. The session will also consider what practical, near-term steps can be taken to strengthen heat–health resilience while ensuring that equity remains central to decision-making.

By bringing together diverse perspectives, this panel aims to move beyond awareness toward actionable insights on how to protect health in a hotter world — especially for those least able to adapt.

Panellists include:

• Dr Thahirahtul Asma’ binti Zakaria (Ministry of Health)
• Dr Remco van de Pas (UNU IIGH)
• Dr Elil Renganathan (Monash University Malaysia)
• Menka Goundan, (ARROW)