Double walls, with thermal insulation, external vapor barrier and built in ventilation ducts. Special additives for the mortars prevent moisture from seeping into the walls. Double or even triple pane windows and good quality, properly applied exterior paint reinforces the insulation.

I don't see why brick and mortar houses should be extra susceptible to those problems if build well. But of course Europe didn't use to see the same extremes of heat and humidity as the US does, perhaps it will become a problem in the future.