Heatwave deaths tallied in new study

Heatwave deaths tallied in new study
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) May 16, 2024

A new study published in PLOS Medicine on May 14th by Yuming Guo of Monash University and colleagues found that between 1990 and 2019, over 150,000 deaths each year were associated with heatwaves globally.

Heatwaves, defined as periods of high temperatures lasting for several days, can cause severe thermal stress on the human body. Previous studies have measured the impact of individual heatwaves on local mortality, but this study is the first to compare these statistics worldwide over an extended period.

Researchers analyzed data from the Multi-Country Multi-City (MCC) Collaborative Research Network, which includes daily deaths and temperatures from 750 locations across 43 countries. Using this data, the researchers estimated excess heatwave deaths globally from 1990 to 2019 and mapped these deaths across continents.

During the warm seasons from 1990 to 2019, heatwave-related deaths accounted for 153,078 deaths per year, or 236 deaths per ten million residents, equating to 1% of global deaths. Asia had the highest number of estimated deaths, while Europe had the highest population-adjusted rate at 655 deaths per ten million residents. Significant death burdens were noted in southern and eastern Europe and the region between Northern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Southern Asia.

At the national level, Greece, Malta, and Italy had the highest excess death ratios. The highest rates of heatwave deaths were observed in regions with dry climates and lower-middle incomes. The regional disparity in heatwave-related mortality highlights the importance of local adaptation and risk management for climate change.

"Heatwaves are associated with substantial mortality burden that varies spatiotemporally over the globe in the past 30 years," the authors stated. "These findings indicate the potential benefit of government actions to enhance health sector adaptation and resilience, accounting for inequalities across communities."

The authors further added, "In the context of climate change, it is crucial to address the unequal impacts of heatwaves on human health. This necessitates a comprehensive approach that not only tackles immediate health risks during heatwaves but also implements long-term strategies to minimize vulnerability and inequality. The strategies include: climate change mitigation policy, heat action plans (e.g., heat early warning system), urban planning and green structure, social support program, healthcare and public health services, education awareness, and community engagement and participation."

Research Report:Global, regional, and national burden of heatwave-related mortality from 1990 to 2019: A three-stage modelling study