WHO: heat kills more than 175 thousand Europeans every year
Kyiv • UNN
Extreme heat is claiming more than 175,000 lives in Europe each year, according to the WHO. Europe is heating up twice as fast as the global average, exacerbating chronic diseases and putting vulnerable populations at risk.
Extreme heat kills more than 175,000 people in the European region each year, the WHO Regional Office for Europe reported on Thursday, UNN reports.
Details
"In some places around the world, the climate crisis is already bringing temperatures to unbearable levels, and estimates show that globally, about 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred each year between 2000 and 2019, with the European region accounting for 36% or an average of 176,040 deaths per year between 2000 and 2019," the WHO Regional Office for Europe said.
It is noted that the European region is getting hotter the fastest of the six WHO regions, with temperatures rising about twice as fast as the global average. The three warmest years on record in the WHO European Region have been recorded since 2020, and the 10 warmest years since 2007. "Across the region, in its 53 member states, people are paying the highest price," the report said.
"Heat stress is the leading cause of climate-related death in the region. Extreme temperatures exacerbate chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebrovascular diseases, mental health and diabetes-related illnesses. Extreme heat is a problem for older people in particular, especially those living alone. It can also be an additional burden for pregnant women," said Dr. Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
He emphasized that "action plans to protect health from heat are the most important adaptation process." "More than 20 countries in the European region have such plans in place. While this is encouraging, it is not enough to protect all communities," Kluge said.
It is indicated that the European Regional Office is currently developing an update of the guidelines for the heat-related health action plan.
