In this case study, Elizabeth Noble discussed the 2017 heatwave in Pakistan and the fact that there have been reports of rising heat records across Asia in the last eight years. Noble refers to studies to explain the public health factors and outcomes of these events; the reported 2,400 heat-related deaths in 2015 in India and 1,220 deaths in 2017 in Pakistan are speculated to be the result of increased use of concrete, diminishing lakes, and air conditioner energy expulsion.
Additionally, one study correlated high-temperature events to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. Noble also included a 2017 Pakistan study that reported on the trends of mortality rates and the risk factors associated with worsening outcomes, such as level of education and income.
Despite some of Pakistan’s best efforts to address this issue; such as developing a Heat Action Plan, and mobilizing efforts of city, state, and national agencies, challenges still remain. Particularly in the remote areas of Pakistan, where access to basic services and healthcare is extremely limited. Moreover, due to the lack of uniform record-keeping across the globe, it is difficult to have reliable methods to record and document extreme heat events and be able to implement targeted strategies.