Simultaneous spread of heatwaves and infectious diseases: Social response challenges to protect health during the summer

In the era of dual disasters, the summer path we must create together

The summer in South Korea has come to carry a meaning that is too heavy to simply be called a season. With global warming transitioning from mere warnings in scientific reports to a palpable reality in our daily lives, heatwaves are becoming a condition of survival that cannot be adequately described as just hot. Moreover, the threat of infectious diseases has added to this, turning our summers into epicenters of complex disasters. In the face of this layered crisis, we must reflect on past mistakes, contemplate current signs, and prepare a holistic response for the future. This article aims to analyze the structural causes and present practical solutions for society as a whole.

Warnings from the past: The city heated itself, and humanity was trapped within it.

In the late 20th century, South Korea achieved remarkable industrialization and urbanization, but behind this success lay the costs of defying the natural order. The asphalt and concrete that covered the city's surface created heat islands that retained sunlight and remained warm even at night, and this heat gradually became a part of daily life. The record-breaking heat waves experienced in 2018 and 2020 reminded us that this was no longer just the whim of nature, but rather a disaster created by humanity itself. For the elderly and those with health vulnerabilities, this heat became a direct threat to life. This reality, which cannot be summarized in just a few lines of statistics, prompts us to reconsider how much we have underestimated the dangers we face.

Current Reality: The Reality of Disasters Beyond Climate Forecasts

On this day in 2025, we are facing a climate backlash that transcends past scenarios. In the summer of 2024, the national average number of heatwave days exceeded 35, with some regions repeatedly experiencing extreme temperatures close to 40 degrees. Particularly concerning is the fact that the number of heat-related illnesses among the population aged 80 and older reached 15.4 per 100,000 people, revealing a lack of structural preparedness that goes beyond mere health statistics. Heatwaves have expanded from being temporary natural phenomena to comprehensive disasters that simultaneously threaten health, industry, food, energy, and water resources. At the same time, the threat of infectious diseases has not ceased. The global experience of COVID-19 has not faded as a temporary outbreak rather, the world that followed is living amid the potential for new variants and new pathogens. In the gaps left by lax infection control measures, high temperatures and humidity are aiding the survival and spread of pathogens. Especially during the summer months, when activities in enclosed spaces increase, infections once again threaten us. Although the number of infections has decreased, it remains a heavy burden for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals.

The Essence of the Crisis: Climate and Health, an Indivisible Issue

Heat waves and infectious diseases may seem like entirely different issues at first glance, but if we trace their roots, we can see they are stems from the same reality. This is, in fact, a distorted expansion of a human-centered development paradigm. Urbanization that disregards the order of nature has exacerbated the urban heat island effect, and the imbalances in public health infrastructure have become pathways for the spread of infectious diseases. Furthermore, a social structure with unequal access to information and resource distribution has weakened the social immunity necessary to respond to dual disasters. This situation can no longer be viewed solely as an environmental or health issue. It tests the resilience of our entire society—the ability to live together.

The Evolution of Response: The Cooperation of Technology and Community

Fortunately, we are now seeking much more sophisticated and complex responses than in the past. Central government and local governments are expanding physical infrastructure such as cooling centers, shade structures, and support for vulnerable households needing cooling. The heat warning notification system and the accuracy of weather forecasts are also improving. Regarding infectious diseases, vaccination, diagnosis, quarantine, and treatment systems are steadily being refined, and the foundation for collective practices such as mask-wearing and social distancing can be reactivated if necessary. However, the most fundamental strength ultimately comes from the community. Cooperation at the village level, connections between local hospitals and welfare agencies, and mutual care among residents create effects beyond mere administration. When individuals go beyond merely protecting their own and their families' health to take responsibility for the well-being of their neighbors through small acts of solidarity, the trajectory of this crisis can finally change.

Recommendations for the Future: The Harmony of Ecological Transition and Technological Evolution

The future response should focus on prevention and integration. Heatwaves and infectious diseases should be recognized not as separate crises but as interconnected issues, and an integrated, science-based response system must be established. To achieve this, an AI-based heatwave prediction system, a real-time infectious disease surveillance platform, disaster response-oriented smart city designs, and the establishment of energy-independent local networks are required. At the same time, urban planning and health policies should be restructured with an ecocentric mindset. We need cities with more trees and flowing waterways, spaces that can cool themselves through cool roofs and green infrastructure, and a digital health care system that does not exclude anyone.

Conclusion: What Summer Will We Choose

Changes in nature are not something humans can completely control. However, how we respond to those changes is clearly our choice. We must remember the warnings of the past, understand the signs of the present, and move towards future sustainability. The dual disasters of heatwaves and infectious diseases are not merely issues of climate and health. They pose the question of who you will choose to live with. When we act together, we become stronger. A small action from one person can save the life of another. This summer, your shade, a sip of water, and a mask can mean tomorrow for someone. We can still choose a better summer.