Europe experienced a deadly embrace with extreme temperatures in 2022, with a new study suggesting that over 70,066 deaths may be attributed to the searing heat. Analyzing daily temperature readings and mortality data from 147 locations across the continent, this research sheds light on the profound impact of high temperatures on human health.
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This photograph taken on June 17, 2022 shows a pharmacy sign displays the temperature of 44 Celsius degrees in the city of Montpellier in France.
Witnessing 70,000 Deaths Due to Heatwaves
A study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) suggests that Europe has witnessed over 70,066 deaths due to the exceptionally high temperatures during the summer of 2022.
As per EurekAlert!, the research team amalgamated daily temperature readings and mortality data from 147 locations across 16 European countries to arrive at this conclusion.
Various degrees of aggregation were scrutinized and compared to estimate mortality from both extreme heat and cold. These new findings diverged from a previous analysis by the same team, covering 823 regions in 35 European countries. The earlier study reported a lower number of heat-related premature deaths in 2022, totaling only 62,862.
Joan Ballester Claramunt, a researcher at ISGlobal, emphasized that the differences were minimal during periods of extreme cold and heat, citing the example of the summer of 2003, where the underestimation by the weekly data model was only 4.62%.
Interesting Engineering reported that the health repercussions of heatwaves can be severe, leading to increased mortality rates, especially among groups already susceptible to pre-existing conditions. Elevated temperatures for prolonged periods place significant stress on the human body.
Extreme heat can trigger heat-related disorders such as heatstroke and exhaustion, posing a potential fatality risk if not promptly addressed. Those most vulnerable include the elderly, young children, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, and those with limited access to cooling facilities or air conditioning.
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In the realm of this study, the ability to utilize weekly data proves advantageous, especially considering the bureaucratic hurdles that often hinder or make it impossible for researchers to conduct large-scale epidemiological studies based on daily data.
Ballester asserted that, in instances where daily data is not accessible, the readily available weekly data across Europe can offer a good approximation of the estimates obtained using the daily data model.
Concluding the importance of weekly data, Ballester noted that models relying on this frequency provide sufficient precision in mortality estimates, making them valuable for real-time applications in epidemiological surveillance. These models can inform public policies, such as the activation of emergency plans to mitigate the impact of heat waves and cold spells.
What to do?
Amid heatwaves, individuals and communities are urged to adopt preventive measures, including staying well-hydrated, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat periods, and keeping a watchful eye on elderly or vulnerable citizens.
Public health campaigns and emergency response strategies are crucial for mitigating the effects of heat waves and reducing associated mortality. The study's findings have been published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health - Europe.
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