Heat, Health & the Race to Adapt

With temperatures expected to reach 40°C in parts of southern Spain this May, weeks before summer officially begins, one urgent question hangs in the air: what will the rest of the season bring, and are we ready for it?

Heat kills. Slowly. Silently. 

Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths, and is taking more and more lives each year. In the US alone, heat-related fatalities have increased by 117% over the past 24 years, with a significant surge since 2016.

Moreover, extreme heat events are on the rise. Heatwaves are becoming more common and intense as the climate warms, with events that used to happen once every 10 years likely to occur over four times more frequently in a 1.5°C world and nearly six times more often in a 2°C world. The way we live is also intensifying the effects of heat events. For example, the growth of cities is expanding the share of the global population subject to the “urban heat island” effect, increasing heat risk and vulnerability for millions.

Small wonder, then, that extreme heat is considered an escalating public health crisis – particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly, the chronically ill, and those with low incomes. Without access to affordable, effective cooling solutions, hundreds of thousands more people – in the Global South and North alike – will get sick and die from heat exposure.

“What we've noticed is that extreme heat is getting worse in more places, for more people, faster than people are responding to it – or having the ability to adapt to it,” says David Leathers, Director at the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health.

Healthcare systems are failing to keep pace with this accelerating threat. The 2024 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change found that only 35% of countries have health early warning systems for heat-related illness. Moreover, 82 countries still have work to do to complete Health National Adaptation Plans.

Even worse, modern medicine may be exacerbating the vulnerability of certain populations to extreme heat. A growing body of evidence suggests that the medications that millions rely on – including diuretics, beta blockers, and antidepressants – can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate heat or stay hydrated.

It’s not just the direct effects of heat that are dangerous to human health, either. Heat also intensifies the formation of ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant that forms when sunlight reacts with emissions from cars, factories, and other emissions sources. This can make breathing harder, especially among children, the elderly, and those with asthma or heart disease.

“Research shows that high heat combined with air pollution increases ER visits, hospitalizations, and even premature deaths,” Laura Gabor, co-founder of Ecologicca, a high-tech air purifying company, told Climate Proof. “Heat and air pollution together have a multiplicative effect, meaning the health impact is worse than each factor alone.”

All the data points to one unassailable conclusion: without swift adaptation, the world will see a significant rise in heat-related illness and increasing pressure on emergency health services. This will have knock-on effects for businesses and the economy. Productivity may decline from heat-related work absences. In the extreme, vast regions of the world may become too dangerous to work and live in for extended periods of time.

Indeed, heat impacts are already being felt. In 2023, income lost due to heat-related reductions in labor capacity reached a record-high of US$835bn, according to Lancet. “Extreme heat’s always been an issue for companies, and now I think there's many realizing that they are bigger risks than they have anticipated in the past,” says Leathers.

The private sector is not blind to this threat, however. A whole array of start-ups and early-stage companies are working feverishly to address heat-related health risks and adapt human biology to higher temperatures.

In this month’s Adaptation10, we showcase ten companies active in the heat-health nexus offering a wide range of solutions, including:

● Immediate intervention tools bringing medical-grade cooling to healthcare systems, outdoor festivals, and remote working locations

● Passive cooling for scalable protection in public spaces and for outdoor labor.

● Real-time biometric tracking that helps prevent heat stress and dehydration.

● Predictive health and environment monitoring tools for context-specific early warnings.

DSR & Partners is also active in the heat-health space. The company is now working closely with renowned heat and health expert Dr. Andrea Nakoinz to equip organizations with actionable strategies to address rising climate health risks. 

It’s past time humanity treated extreme heat like the public health emergency it is. Innovation and technology can help close the gap between the risks we face and our ability to respond. This month’s Adaptation10 highlights promising solutions that are already making a difference, and in some cases even saving lives. But they are just the beginning. To stay ahead of rising temperatures, we’ll need many more breakthroughs, and fast.

Yours,

Daniel & Louie 

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Cryogenx, a London-based healthtech startup, is tackling the growing threat of heat-related illnesses with its innovative CGX1, which enables immediate, effective intervention in cases of heat-related illness such as heatstroke. The system comprises a body-conforming pad activated by a proprietary, non-toxic compressed coolant. Within just two minutes of diagnosis, CGX1 can deliver powerful cooling proven to reduce core body temperature to safe levels—no pre-preparation, power source, or special storage required. Weighing under 5kg and effective for at least 30 minutes, the device is man-portable and can be deployed even in remote or resource-limited environments. Its unique design allows critical interventions like CPR to be performed simultaneously, without interrupting the cooling process. By emulating the gold standard of ice-water immersion, CGX1 provides hospital-grade care in pre-hospital settings.

ThermoShade, a Los Angeles-based climate tech startup, is redefining outdoor thermal comfort with its passive cooling panels designed to combat extreme heat in urban environments. Leveraging a combination of ultra-reflective coatings and phase change materials, these modular panels can create shaded areas that feel up to 20°F (approximately 11°C) cooler than traditional awnings—all without the use of electricity or water. The technology integrates multiple passive cooling strategies: ultra-reflective coatings reflect over 90% of solar energy, while embedded phase change materials absorb and release thermal energy, maintaining a cooler surface temperature throughout the day . Designed for versatility, ThermoShade's panels are modular and can be easily assembled to fit various configurations, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, including bus stops, schoolyards, outdoor classrooms, and public gathering spaces .

ColdVest, developed by U.S.-based ColdVentures, is a Class 1 FDA-approved, single-use cooling vest designed to rapidly reduce core body temperature in heat emergencies. Utilizing patented endothermic technology, the vest activates upon adding approximately 3 liters of water, initiating a chemical reaction that absorbs heat and provides immediate cooling without the need for ice, electricity, or refrigeration. This portable solution can lower core body temperature by up to 10°F (5.5°C) within 30 minutes and remains effective for up to an hour. Weighing under 10 pounds, ColdVest is designed for ease of use, allowing deployment by individuals without medical training in less than three minutes. Its versatility makes it suitable for various high-risk groups, including outdoor workers, athletes, military personnel, and attendees of large events . By providing a reliable, on-the-spot cooling method, ColdVest addresses the critical need for immediate intervention during heat-related incidents, especially in environments lacking access to traditional cooling resources. 

Epicore Biosystems, a U.S.-based digital health company, is advancing climate adaptation with its innovative sweat-sensing wearables that provide real-time hydration insights for both industrial workers and athletes. Their flagship product, Connected Hydration, is a flexible, skin-like patch that continuously monitors sweat rate, electrolyte loss, skin temperature, and motion. Paired with a mobile app and secure cloud platform, it delivers personalized hydration recommendations and real-time alerts to prevent dehydration and heat-related illnesses. The system is designed for high-risk industries such as construction, mining, agriculture, and military operations, where heat stress poses significant safety challenges. For athletes, Epicore offers the Gx Sweat Patch. This wearable tracks sweat composition during workouts, enabling users to tailor their hydration and recovery strategies based on individual sweat profiles, to ensure peak performances.

Eztia Materials, a U.S.-based climate tech company, is pioneering passive cooling solutions with its HydraVolt™ technology - a wearable, water-activated material engineered to reduce skin temperature by up to 10°C for as long as eight hours. Designed for high-heat environments, HydraVolt operates without batteries, refrigeration, or electricity, making it ideal for military personnel, construction workers, and individuals in remote or resource-limited settings. HydraVolt integrates seamlessly into existing clothing and gear, such as shirts, body wraps, and headbands, and can be recharged using less than a cup of water or during a normal laundry cycle. Its proprietary polymer-based gel leverages evaporative cooling to maintain safe body temperatures during strenuous activity, enhancing performance and reducing the risk of heat-related injuries. The material is customizable in thickness, size, and cooling duration, allowing it to be tailored to specific operational needs. By eliminating the need for power sources, the company offers an affordable alternative to traditional cooling apparel.

(More on ClimateProof) produces the ArctiDry, a novel liquid desiccant air conditioning system designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce the climate impact of HVAC systems. The ArctiDry system focuses on dehumidification, which uses less energy than traditional HVAC systems, and improves indoor air quality for commercial buildings. It is a promising solution for Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) in various commercial settings, including healthcare. For example, XX says its tech can effectively handle operating room outdoor air requirements by allowing precision control over temperature and humidity.

(More on ClimateProof), a UK-based company, offers an advanced wearable safety solution designed to monitor and prevent heat stress and other physiological risks in challenging work environments. Utilizing a non-invasive, in-ear device, XX continuously measures core body temperature, heart rate, and physiological strain, providing real-time data to both the wearer and supervisors. This immediate feedback enables prompt interventions, reducing the likelihood of heat-related illnesses and enhancing overall workplace safety. The device's ear placement allows for accurate monitoring due to its proximity to the hypothalamus, the body's temperature regulation center. Bodytrak's technology has demonstrated a mean absolute error of 0.18°C in core body temperature measurements compared to ingestible sensors, highlighting its precision. In 2024, XX identified over 1,000 instances where workers' physiological metrics exceeded safe thresholds, allowing for timely preventive actions. Beyond heat stress, XX monitors fatigue, noise exposure, and detects falls or inactivity, integrating seamlessly with existing personal protective equipment. Its cloud-based platform provides automated reports and insights

(More on ClimateProof), a Tokyo-based health-tech company, is addressing the growing threat of heat-related illnesses with its wearable device, XX. This wrist-worn sensor continuously monitors core body temperature using a patented heat flux sensor and provides real-time alerts through vibrations, lights, and sounds when dangerous levels are detected.Designed for high-risk environments such as construction, energy, and emergency response, XX helps prevent heatstroke by prompting timely hydration and rest. Since its launch in 2020, over a million XX units have been deployed across more than 2,000 organizations, including Airbus and Edison Next, demonstrating its effectiveness in diverse settings. The device's lightweight design (30g), IP67 waterproof rating, and battery-free operation make it suitable for continuous use in challenging conditions.

(More on ClimateProof), a U.S.-based safety technology company, is enhancing occupational health with its BAND V2 wearable—a rugged, arm-worn device designed to monitor and mitigate heat stress and overexertion in real time. Utilizing advanced sensors, the BAND V2 estimates core body temperature through a combination of heart rate and motion data, providing continuous, non-invasive monitoring for workers in high-risk environments. The device delivers immediate alerts via LED lights and vibrations when physiological thresholds are exceeded, enabling timely interventions to prevent heat-related illnesses. Additional features include fall detection, inactivity alerts, and an SOS TapAlert function, enhancing safety for lone workers. With a battery life ranging from 24 to 100 hours, the BAND V2 ensures uninterrupted monitoring across various shifts. Integrated with XX's cloud-based platform, the system allows supervisors to access live and historical data, configure alert thresholds, and optimize work/rest cycles in accordance with ACGIH® standards. The optional BEACON V2 environmental monitor complements the BAND V2 by tracking ambient conditions such as temperature, humidity, and heat index, providing a comprehensive overview of workplace heat stress factors.

(More on ClimateProof), a Bangalore, India–based environmental data startup, is combating the rising threat of pollen allergies intensified by climate change with its advanced real-time pollen forecasting platform. Using a blend of satellite imagery, weather data, and AI analytics, XX provides hyperlocal pollen concentration maps that help individuals and organizations anticipate allergy risks and take timely precautions. The platform requires no special hardware or complex setup and can be accessed via web or API integration. Designed for easy use, XX’s system delivers continuous updates on pollen levels and allergen types, supporting allergy sufferers, outdoor workers, and public health officials. Its scalable solution can be embedded into mobile apps, urban planning tools, and healthcare frameworks to improve preparedness during extended pollen seasons. Lightweight and accessible globally, XX’s data-driven technology empowers users to manage exposure to pollen effectively, helping mitigate the growing health impacts caused by climate-induced changes in pollen production and distribution.

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Solutions in action

Chapter 1: Shadows and Signals in Vienna

Anna, an urban planner in Vienna, was blown away by the forecasts. Another three weeks of >40°C (>104°F) weather was on the cards. It was relentless, almost surreal. But her district was prepared. Canopies of ThermoShades now stretched over sidewalks and bus stops, passive structures that cooled the air beneath them by up to 11°C. However, emergency medical calls were still surging. Hundreds of people were suffering from heat exhaustion, as well as breathing problems and allergies exacerbated by the high temperatures. Anna pulled up her city’s climate-health dashboard. Thanks to XX, she had real-time access to pollen and air quality maps. The data was alarming: ragweed pollen at record highs, air thick with particulates from wildfire smoke in Slovakia. A “double wave,” doctors called it — heat plus respiratory stress. Using Ambee’s data, she issued new city alerts: move public events indoors, reroute foot traffic from high-pollen parks, deploy mobile water stations near pollution hotspots. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it had life-saving impacts.

At one shaded café, an elderly woman with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) took off her mask, sipped iced tea, and whispered to the waiter: 

“Whatever they're doing... it’s working.”

Chapter 2: The Farmer’s Timing

In southern France, Lena, a viticulturist, was scrambling to respond to the surging temperatures. Her vines were maturing, and she needed to care for them at this critical time – but it was so damn hot! She started before dawn, clad in HydraVolt cooling fabrics from Eztia Materials. Lightweight, comfortable, and – most importantly – cool, they allowed her to work outdoors for hours under the beating sun. Her nephew, Paul, a firefighter in Marseille, had his own lifeline: a XX BAND V2 wrapped around his wrist. The device tracked his vital signs while he was on duty. It vibrated whenever his core temperature peaked — alerting him when it was time to take a break and recover indoors.

Chapter 3: The Data Watchers

In a lab in Heidelberg, Dr. Elena was overseeing a Europe-wide data collection project. Hundreds of volunteers – farmers, cyclists, construction crews, and bus drivers – were equipped with wearables from Epicore Biosystems, and her team was collecting real-time sweat and hydration data from them to learn more about heat risks to the population. The volunteers also wore XX in-ear sensors, which continuously fed data on their heart rate, oxygen saturation, and core temperature to Elena.

“We don’t just want to adapt,” she told a Belgian TV crew. “We want to anticipate, too.”

Early results were promising: the system flagged risky dehydration hours before symptoms appeared.

Chapter 4: The Festival Plan

Across the border in the Netherlands, Jonas, an event organizer, was preparing for an outdoor electronic music festival — with military precision. Cooling tents lined the perimeter, stocked with ColdVests, to support staff and performers as they worked in the stultifying heat. The crowd danced under rows of ThermoShades, and water was distributed according to hydration forecasts drawn from XX Canaria+ wearables, worn by volunteers. Thanks to all this, incidents of heat stroke at the festival came in 60% lower than the year before.

Chapter 5: The Mobile ER

In Milan, Dr. Miriam was part of a rapid-response team in an experimental heat-health ambulance. A cyclist had collapsed near the Duomo. By the time they reached him, his skin was dry, lips cracked. Within seconds, she activated the Cryogenx CGX1, a portable body-cooling unit designed for field use. It cooled the heat victim’s core temperature by several degrees in under 15 minutes - just enough to stabilize him. On the other side of the city, a hospital fretted over its surgery schedule. Would it be possible to conduct hundreds of urgent procedures in this heat? Yes, the manager said. With Mojave’s ArctiDry system, operating room temperature and humidity could be controlled with ease, ensuring safe working conditions for the duration of the heat emergency.

Chapter 6: Convergence

By mid-August, Europe had been in crisis mode for over 50 days. But something extraordinary had happened: mortality rates, while high, had not reached the levels of previous years. A pan-European platform — powered by data from Epicore, Bodytrak, SlateSafety, Ambee, and Biodata Bank — now gave health agencies and city leaders real-time insights. Hotspots were predicted. Supplies were pre-positioned. Ambulances rerouted before distress calls were even made. People like Anna, Lena, Jonas, and Miriam didn’t see themselves as heroes. They were just adapting. Quietly. Collectively. Effectively.