Julia Gillard: Prepare Healthcare for Extreme Heat

Countries must urgently prepare their health systems for an era defined by climate change and its associated extreme heat, according to Julia Gillard, chair of the Wellcome foundation and former Australian Prime Minister. Wellcome is actively funding research to deepen understanding of how rising temperatures impact human health, aiming to spur greater political will and action.

Discussions around global warming have historically overlooked the direct health consequences of heat. However, for the first time at a COP summit, the necessity of dynamic and resilient health systems is a priority theme. This includes a focus on the harms of extreme heat to pregnant women and unborn children.

Gillard points to the NHS in England's £32 million investment to help hospitals adapt to extreme heat as a crucial template. In 2026, the UK experienced its hottest summer on record, leading to cancelled operations and thousands of heat-associated deaths, highlighting the vulnerability of healthcare infrastructure.

Philanthropic efforts, like Wellcome's £160 million commitment to heat and health research across 21 countries, are vital but cannot replace government investment. Gillard warns of concerning funding landscapes, including significant cuts in scientific research and overseas development assistance, which compromise health system resilience globally.

Australia's co-hosting of COP31 with Turkey aims to amplify the voices of its region, particularly Pacific Island nations facing existential threats from rising sea levels. These nations, contributing minimally to climate change, are disproportionately affected by its consequences, appealing for increased climate financing.