Review on the health effectiveness evaluation of extreme temperature intervention measures

Objective To systematically review the impact of extreme temperature intervention measures on population health.

Methods A retrieval and analysis was conducted in databases including Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, PubMed, and Web of Science, and references of the retrieved literature were traced.

Results A total of 58 articles were included, of which 27 were time-series studies and 31 were experimental studies, covering various intervention measures and multiple health outcomes. In high-temperature environments, national early warning and response measures reduced overall mortality, extreme temperature-related morbidity, and medical consultation rates. Meanwhile, protective equipment and environmental temperature control interventions improved thermoregulation, sweat secretion, and cardiovascular function, thereby alleviating heat stress symptoms and enhancing subjective comfort. Health education and behavioral guidance effectively increased public awareness of protection and behavioral compliance, reduced the incidence of heat-related illnesses, and improved sleep and psychological well-being. In low-temperature environments, cold weather alerts, housing retrofits, and heating interventions might lower all-cause mortality and cardiopulmonary disease risks, though relevant evidence remained insufficient.

Conclusion Extreme temperature intervention measures have a positive impact on health improvement, with vulnerable populations benefiting more significantly. However, evidence regarding low-temperature interventions is still insufficient. Future studies should include long-term follow-ups to strengthen the evidence base.