Stronger heat-illness protection for people aged 80+ — expanded home health visits and cooling checks
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Ministry of Health and Welfare is expanding safety check-ins, health management and cooling-environment inspections for people aged 80 and over through the ICT-integrated home health visit programme at public health centres nationwide. From 15 May to 4 August 2026 there were 2,441 heat-illness patients, and 13 of the 21 estimated deaths (62%) were aged 80 or over.
Key facts
| Surveillance period | 15 May – 4 August 2026 (KDCA emergency-room surveillance system for heat-related illness) |
|---|---|
| Heat-illness patients | 2,441 — 825 aged 65+ (33.8%), 300 aged 80+ (12.3%) |
| Incidence per 100,000 people | 12.5 for those aged 80+, 7.4 for those in their 70s, 5.8 for those in their 60s |
| Estimated deaths | 13 of 21 (62%) were aged 80 or over |
| Where cases occurred (aged 80+) | Fields 83 (27.7%), roadsides 59 (19.7%), at home 54 (18.0%) |
| Measures being strengthened | ICT-integrated home health visit programme at public health centres nationwide — safety check-ins, health management, cooling-environment inspections, advice to avoid work in fields and greenhouses, residence inspections |
| Enquiries | Ministry of Health and Welfare, Health Policy Division 044-202-2807 / KDCA, Division of Climate Health and Health Hazard Preparedness 043-219-2953 |
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The Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) said that, based on an analysis by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's emergency-room surveillance system for heat-related illness showing that people aged 80 and over are the most vulnerable, it will expand safety check-ins, health management and cooling-environment inspections through the ICT-integrated home health visit programme run by public health centres nationwide. From 15 May to 4 August 2026, 2,441 people were recorded as heat-illness patients, and 13 of the 21 estimated deaths (62%) were people aged 80 or over. The incidence rate per 100,000 people was also highest among those aged 80 and over, at 12.5. The ministry plans to further strengthen advice to avoid work in fields and greenhouses, residence inspections and safety check-ins for people aged 80 and over, reflecting this analysis.
Background — why this change
Since the severe heatwave alert issued on 12 July 2026, the government has strengthened protection for groups vulnerable to heat through the ICT-integrated home health visit programme at public health centres nationwide. The 'Oneul Geongang' app automatically sends alert messages and stage-by-stage response guidance based on the user's location and the Korea Meteorological Administration's heatwave impact forecast risk levels; 126,890 messages were sent between 13 July and 4 August, of which 25,668 were risk-stage warnings. As of 4 August, visiting health nurses had made 176,514 home visits, of which 128,283 (72.7%) were heatwave-response activities such as cooling-environment checks and the provision of heat-prevention supplies. Across all heat-illness patients, cases occurred at outdoor worksites (625, 25.6%), in fields (324, 13.3%), on roadsides (298, 12.2%) and at home (172, 7.0%).
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
How many estimated heat-illness deaths were there this summer?
From 15 May to 4 August 2026 there were 21 estimated deaths, of which 13 (62%) were people aged 80 or over.
Where did heat illness mostly occur among people aged 80 and over?
In fields (83 cases, 27.7%), on roadsides (59 cases, 19.7%) and at home (54 cases, 18.0%). The share occurring at home was 18.0%, about three times the figure for all age groups (7.0%).
What should you watch out for when a heatwave advisory is issued?
Avoid working in fields or greenhouses and going out for long periods during the hottest hours, and drink water frequently even if you do not feel thirsty. Indoors, use cooling appliances to keep the environment cool.