Fact Check: Only 21 of the 57 WHO Europe countries have a national heat-health action plan.

Fact Check: "Only 21 of the 57 WHO Europe countries have a national heat-health action plan."

What We Know

The claim that "only 21 of the 57 WHO Europe countries have a national heat-health action plan" is based on data regarding the implementation of heat-health action plans (HHAPs) across the WHO European Region. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), as of recent reports, 21 out of the 38 countries in the EEA have established HHAPs, with an additional four countries in the process of developing these plans (source-8).

It is important to note that the total number of countries in the WHO European Region is often cited as 57, which includes various member states and territories. The discrepancy arises because the EEA's count of 38 countries does not encompass all WHO member states in Europe, leading to potential confusion regarding the total number of countries referenced in the claim.

Analysis

The claim's accuracy hinges on the interpretation of the number of countries involved. The figure of 21 is indeed correct when considering the EEA's count of countries that have implemented HHAPs. However, the total number of countries in the WHO European Region is broader, with 57 member states, which includes countries that may not have established such plans yet (source-4).

The sources used to substantiate the claim vary in reliability. The EEA is a reputable organization that provides data on environmental issues, including health-related impacts of climate change. However, the claim does not specify the total number of countries in the WHO European Region, which is critical for contextualizing the statement. Furthermore, the WHO has emphasized the importance of developing HHAPs as a response to increasing heat-related health risks, indicating a growing recognition of the need for such plans across more countries (source-3).

In summary, while the number of countries with established HHAPs is accurate, the claim lacks clarity regarding the total number of countries considered, which can mislead readers about the broader context of heat-health preparedness in Europe.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True
The claim that "only 21 of the 57 WHO Europe countries have a national heat-health action plan" is partially true. The figure of 21 is accurate concerning the EEA's count of countries with established HHAPs. However, the claim does not adequately clarify that the total number of countries in the WHO European Region is 57, which includes nations without such plans. This omission can lead to misunderstandings about the overall preparedness of European countries in addressing heat-related health risks.

Sources

1. Heat health action plans: a European perspective - PMC
2. Heat-health action plans in Europe: Challenges ahead and how ... - PubMed
3. Heat-health action plans: guidance
4. Planning heat-health action - World Health Organization (WHO)
5. PDF Heat and health in the WHO European Region
6. PDF Heat-health action plans. Guidance WHO/Europe, 2008
7. Heat and health in the WHO European Region: - IRIS
8. Heat-health action plans and surveillance