The World Health Organization reported that of the approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths recorded annually by the organization between 2000 and 2019, the European region was responsible for 36%, or an average of 176,040 deaths.
The health authority noted that temperatures in the region are “rising at about twice the global average.”
The WHO European Region includes 53 countries, including several in Central Asia.
“Ultimately, people pay the price,” Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe, said in a statement.
According to a World Health Organization report, there has been a 30% increase in heat-related deaths in the region over the past two decades.
“Extreme temperatures exacerbate chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, respiratory, cerebrovascular, mental health and diabetes-related conditions,” Kluge said, noting that extreme heat can be a particular problem for older people and pose an “additional burden” for pregnant women.
The World Health Organization has noted that “heat stress,” which occurs when the human body is unable to maintain its temperature, “is the leading cause of climate-related death” in the region.
According to the World Health Organization, the number of heat-related deaths is set to “increase” in the coming years as a result of global warming.
“The three hottest years on record” in the region “have all occurred since 2020, and the ten hottest years have all occurred since 2007,” Kluge revealed.
On July 25, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that humanity was suffering from a “heat epidemic,” and called for action to mitigate the effects of heat waves made worse by climate change.
Source: phys.org
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2024-08-03 00:36:25
