A study from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health reported that approximately 47,690 people died in Europe in 2023 due to heat. This figure represents a significant mortality toll linked to high temperatures during the year, which was noted as the warmest on record globally.
The study, published in Nature Medicine, indicates that the heat-related mortality in 2023 was lower than the estimated 60,000 deaths in 2022 but higher than any other year since at least 2015. Researchers analyzed temperature and mortality data from 823 regions across 35 European countries to arrive at these estimates.
The report highlighted that southern European countries experienced the highest rates of heat-related deaths. Greece recorded 393 deaths per million, followed by Bulgaria (229), Italy (209), Spain (175), Cyprus (167), and Portugal (136). The majority of the deaths occurred during the hottest months, particularly between May 29 and October 1.
The study also noted that the death toll could have been 80% higher without the adaptation measures implemented since the early 2000s. These measures included the establishment of early warning systems and heat prevention plans, which were prompted by a severe heatwave in 2003 that resulted in over 70,000 deaths.
Researchers pointed out that older individuals, especially those over 80 years of age, faced a significantly higher risk of mortality due to heat. The findings underscore the ongoing impact of climate change on public health and the need for continued efforts to address rising temperatures and their associated health risks.
