Extreme heat is reducing the number of hours healthcare workers can safely and effectively work across Latin America and the Caribbean, adding pressure to health systems already facing staffing shortages, according to IDB.
An analysis using International Labor Organization estimates found that heat exposure is cutting service-sector labor capacity by an average of about 1.4% annually across 26 countries in the region. In the hottest countries, losses exceed 3% and reach as high as 3.8%.
Thousands of Healthcare Work Hours Lost
Researchers estimate that current heat exposure across the region is equivalent to the annual workload of roughly 10,000 doctors and 16,000 nurses.
While the impact varies by country size, even modest reductions can have significant consequences. In Brazil, for example, an estimated 0.8% loss of service-sector labor hours translates into the equivalent workload of nearly 4,000 doctors and more than 9,000 nurses.
The figures reflect reduced working capacity rather than actual workforce losses, as higher temperatures can slow task completion, increase fatigue, and require more frequent breaks.
Heat’s Impact Extends Beyond Outdoor Work
Although extreme heat is often associated with agriculture and construction, researchers note that healthcare and other indoor service occupations are also affected, particularly in facilities with inadequate cooling.
Higher temperatures can reduce concentration, slow reaction times, and increase exhaustion, making it more difficult for workers to maintain productivity throughout a shift.
A Growing Challenge for Health Systems
Data from Belize illustrates how the problem is intensifying. Since 1990, heat-related losses in service-sector labor hours have roughly doubled, rising from around 1.5% to more than 3% as average temperatures increased by about 1 to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Because productivity losses accelerate as temperatures climb, researchers warn that future warming could place even greater strain on workforce availability.
Planning for a Hotter Future
The findings suggest that heat is becoming a workforce planning issue as well as a public health concern. Reduced labor capacity can affect staffing schedules, waiting times, service continuity, and a health system’s ability to respond during periods of peak demand.
Researchers say investments in cooling systems, climate-resilient facilities, occupational safety measures, and heat-responsive workforce planning could help preserve healthcare capacity as temperatures continue to rise.
