• Samantha Green, Susan Deering, David Ng, and Kit Shan Lee.
• Family physician at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Ont, Faculty Lead in Climate Change and Health in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, and President-Elect of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.
• Can Fam Physician. 2024 Sep 1; 70 (9): 546550546-550.

ObjectiveTo describe heat-related illness and provide approaches for treatment in family practice.Sources Of InformationThe MeSH terms heat-related illness and primary care were searched in PubMed. Clinical trials, practice reviews, and systematic reviews were included in this review. Reference lists were reviewed for additional articles.Main MessageExtreme heat events are increasing in frequency due to climate change and can directly result in heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or death. Exposure to extreme heat also exacerbates underlying health conditions. Patients may be at increased risk of heat-related illness because of underlying sensitivity to heat, increased exposure to heat, or barriers to resources.ConclusionFamily physicians can help prevent heat-related illness by identifying and counselling patients who are at increased risk and by advocating for interventions that reduce the chance of heat-related illness.Copyright © 2024 the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

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