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Heatwaves Cause Over 150,000 Deaths Every Year

Study Reveals Over 150,000 Deaths Annually from Heatwaves Globally: Regional Disparities and Urgent Call for Action

Heatwaves are becoming an increasingly deadly threat around the world, with more than 150,000 people estimated to have died each year between 1990 and 2019 due to extreme heat. A new study published in PLOS Medicine sheds light on the regional disparities in heatwave deaths and emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the health impacts of climate change.

The study, conducted by researchers at Monash University in Australia, utilized data from the Multi-Country Multi-City (MCC) Collaborative Research Network to analyze daily deaths and temperatures from 750 locations across 43 countries. By examining excess heatwave deaths over a 30-year period, the researchers were able to map out the variations in mortality rates across different continents.

The findings revealed that heatwave-related excess deaths accounted for 153,078 fatalities per year globally, representing 1% of all deaths worldwide. While Asia had the highest number of estimated deaths, Europe had the highest population-adjusted rate, with 655 deaths per ten million residents. Regions in southern and eastern Europe, as well as the area between Northern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Southern Asia, experienced a significant burden of heatwave-related mortality.

At the national level, countries like Greece, Malta, and Italy had the highest excess death ratios, highlighting the unequal impacts of heatwaves on different populations. The study also found that areas with dry climates and lower-middle incomes tended to have the highest rates of heatwave deaths, underscoring the importance of understanding regional disparities in order to implement effective adaptation and risk management strategies.

The authors of the study emphasize the need for government action to enhance health sector adaptation and resilience, taking into account the inequalities across communities. They stress the importance of implementing long-term strategies to minimize vulnerability and inequality, including climate change mitigation policies, heat action plans, urban planning and green infrastructure, social support programs, healthcare services, education awareness, and community engagement.

In light of the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves due to climate change, addressing the unequal impacts of extreme heat on human health is crucial. By adopting a comprehensive approach that combines immediate health risk management with long-term resilience-building measures, we can work towards reducing the devastating impact of heatwaves on vulnerable populations worldwide.

The study, titled “Global, regional and national burden of heatwave-related mortality from 1990 to 2019: A three-stage modelling study,” was published on May 14, 2024, in PLOS Medicine. The researchers hope that their findings will inform policy decisions and spur action to protect communities from the deadly effects of heatwaves in the future.

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