A new report from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) reveals that more than 47,000 people in Europe succumbed to heat-related causes in 2023, with southern European countries experiencing the highest impact. This figure, reported on Monday, highlights the severe health consequences of the continent’s extreme temperatures last year, which were the hottest on record globally.
The study underscores the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, as Europe becomes the fastest-warming continent, facing escalating health risks due to intense heat. Despite the alarming number of deaths, the report indicates a significant improvement compared to the previous year, which saw an estimated 60,000 heat-related fatalities. The decline is attributed to effective adaptation measures implemented over the past two decades, including early warning systems and enhancements in healthcare.
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Elisa Gallo, a researcher at ISGlobal and the study’s lead author, noted, “Our results show how societal adaptation processes to high temperatures during the present century have dramatically reduced heat-related vulnerability and mortality, especially among the elderly.” The adaptation efforts have played a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of extreme heat.
The researchers analyzed temperature and mortality data from 35 European countries, estimating that 47,690 deaths were directly linked to high temperatures. Adjusted for population size, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, and Spain reported the highest mortality rates related to heat.
As climate change continues to drive rising temperatures, European countries must remain vigilant and enhance their adaptation strategies to protect public health. The findings of this report serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the ongoing and future challenges posed by extreme heat.
