Introduction to Guidelines for public health protection against high temperature and heatwaves

In recent years, the high temperature and heatwaves have seriously affected the health of Chinese residents. There is an important need for public health protection guidelines for heatwaves in China. The National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention organized experts to fully investigate the evidence of health epidemiological research on high temperature and heat wave around the world and in China, analyze the health hazards and protection needs of different populations, and put forward practical and effective personal protection measures and health suggestions. Based on this, the "Guideline for Public Health Protection against High Temperature and Heatwaves" (referred to as "Guideline") were officially issued in June 2023 to protect the lives and health of people. This article will interpret the Guideline from the aspects of background and significance, writing principles, main considerations, main contents, and prospects, so as to improve the understanding of the Guidelines and strengthen the publicity and implementations.