July 10, 2023

expert reaction to study of heat related deaths in Europe during summer 2022

A study published in Nature Medicine looks at heat-related mortality in Europe during the summer of 2022.

Dr Raquel Nunes, Assistant Professor in Enviromental Change and Public Health, Warwick Medical School , The University of Warwick, said:

How does this work fit with the existing evidence?

“This work adds to the existing evidence on heat-related mortality by providing updated data and analysis for the summer of 2022 in Europe. The findings of the current study, with over 61,000 estimated heat-related deaths, further support the evidence that heatwaves have a significant impact on mortality rates.

What are the implications in the real world?

“The implications of this study in the real world are significant. The high number of heat-related deaths during the summer of 2022 in Europe highlights the urgent need for action to protect vulnerable populations from the impacts of heatwaves. National governments, relevant agencies, and other bodies need to be called upon to increase the effectiveness of heat prevention and adaptation plans. This implies the allocation of resources, implementation of targeted interventions to reduce the negative consequences of extreme heat events. The study underscores the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of individuals during periods of intense heat and emphasizes the need for proactive measures to mitigate heat-related mortality. My research has already found this to be the case and has made significant advances in addressing the current deficit integrated assessments for shaping governance propositions. Such propositions argue that the diverse levels of vulnerability and resilience convey important bases for (1) targeting at-risk older individuals; (2) developing vulnerability reduction actions; (3) resilience building actions; and (4) understanding ‘success cases’ and learn from them for developing appropriate policy measures. Taken together, these propositions offer a social, psychological and health framework not simply for governing extreme temperatures but for governing responses to climate change at large.

Why are older people more vulnerable to heat and at greater risk of death during summer?

“Older people are more vulnerable to heat and at greater risk of death during summer due to several factors. First, as people age, their bodies become less efficient at regulating temperature and adapting to heat stress. This makes it harder for older individuals to cool down and maintain a stable body temperature during periods of high heat. Second, older people are more likely to have pre-existing health conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases or respiratory problems, which can be exacerbated by heat. Third, certain medications commonly taken by older adults, such as diuretics or beta-blockers, can interfere with the body’s ability to cool down. Additionally, social factors such as living alone, limited mobility, and inadequate access to cooling systems can contribute to the increased vulnerability of older individuals to heat-related health risks.

What measures can be done to ease the heat burden on the elderly?

“My research has found the need for using a person-centered approach to provide advice and care to the whole population, not only to older people for improving resilience to extreme temperatures. As a result, my research has highlighted several measures that should be implemented to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat on health and well-being:

1. Public awareness campaigns: Educating individuals about the risks of heat and providing guidance on how to stay cool and hydrated during hot weather.
2. Heat warning systems: Implementing effective heat warning systems that provide timely and localized information about impending heatwaves, enabling individuals to take appropriate precautions.
3. Access to cooling centres: Establishing cooling centres in communities where individuals can go to seek relief from the heat, especially for those who may not have access to air conditioning at home.
4. Home visits and social support: Conducting home visits by trained personnel to check on the well-being of vulnerable individuals, particularly those living alone, and providing social support during heatwaves.
5. Housing adaptations: Ensuring that housing is designed and equipped with proper insulation, ventilation, and access to cooling systems to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature during hot weather.
6. Community support networks: Encouraging communities to develop support networks where neighbours can check on each other, during heatwaves.
7. Healthcare provider outreach: Increasing communication between healthcare providers and patients to discuss the risks of heat and provide guidance on adjusting medication routines during hot weather.
8. Urban planning and green spaces: Implementing urban planning strategies that promote the creation of green spaces and shading in urban areas to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide cooler environments for individuals.”

Dr Chloe Brimicombe, Climate Scientist and Extreme Heat Researcher, Center for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz, said:

“This study highlights a key heat risk across Europe but especially to women. It demonstrates that heat prevention strategies need to be re-evaluated, with gender and age especially in mind. This research could be taken further assessing the social vulnerability of citizens across Europe in the future because heat doesn’t impact people equitably. We need climate mitigation to help stop the impact of heat becoming worse in the future.”

‘Heat-related mortality in Europe during the summer of 2022’ by Joan Ballester et al. was published in Nature Medicine at 16:00 UK time on Monday 10 July.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02419-z

Declared interests

Dr Raquel Nunes: I don’t have any conflicts of interest.

For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.