Singapore launches Global Heat Health Information Network Southeast Asia Hub

The Heat Resilience & Performance Centre (HRPC) at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) has been officially designated as the Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN) Southeast Asia (SEA) Hub, a recognition that underscores its leading role in advancing heat resilience.

This designation highlights the Centre's expertise in addressing the growing challenges of heat-related health risks in the region. With this appointment, the Centre is poised to play a pivotal role in working with the region to shape strategies, research, and policies aimed at mitigating the impact of extreme heat on public health, demonstrating its commitment to building resilience in the face of climate change.

Chairing the GHHIN Southeast Asia Hub, is Associate Professor Jason Lee, also the Director at the HRPC at NUS Medicine, who brings a wealth of research and translational experience that will help guide and accelerate the conversions specific to the SEA region.

His team spearheaded Project HeatSafe, which investigated the impact of rising temperatures on the health and productivity of people in Southeast Asia. The project has sparked important conversations throughout the region, inspiring discussions on how to replicate and refine its research methodologies for broader applications in the region.

Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon spoke about Singapore's heat resilience strategy. "GHHIN, or Global Heat Health Information Network, is a joint initiative by the World Health Organisation and World Meteorological Organisation to examine the health risks arising from extreme heat worldwide. The GHHIN also plays an important role in strengthening the heat-health nexus by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. It equips stakeholders with resources and best practices to create effective heat policies", he said.