Extreme heat claims more than 175 000 lives annually in Europe, WHO
Over 175,000 people die as a result of the effects of extreme heat every year in Europe, the region on the globe that warms the fastest, reads a statement published on Thursday by the European division of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO European Region is the fastest-warming of the 6 WHO regions, with temperatures rising at around twice the global average rate.
In some places around the world, the climate crisis is already driving temperatures up to unbearable levels and estimates show that, globally, approximately 489 000 heat-related deaths occurred each year between 2000 and 2019, with the Region accounting for 36% or, on average, 176 040 deaths every year between 2000 and 2019.
Heat stress is the leading cause of climate-related death in the Region. Temperature extremes exacerbate chronic conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebro-vascular diseases, mental health, and diabetes-related conditions.
Extreme heat is a problem particularly for elderly people, especially those living alone. It can also place an additional burden on pregnant women.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a Call to action on extreme heat in response to the deadly impacts of rising temperatures all over the world.
The Secretary-General’s Call identifies 4 critical areas of action on caring for the vulnerable, protecting workers, boosting the resilience of economies and societies, and limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. This could not be more relevant for the Region where, over the past 20 years, there has been a 30% increase in heat-related mortality, with heat-related deaths increasing in almost all countries of the Region where monitoring is in place, explained WHO Europe..
