- Individuals grappling with poverty are disproportionately impacted by the heat.
When it comes to heat and vulnerability, the crucial factor is your financial situation, as highlighted by Julio Díaz Jiménez, a professor at the Madrid Health Institute Carlos III, in the "Guardian". "A heatwave isn't the same experience if you're living in a dorm with three other individuals and no air conditioning, versus living in a villa with a pool and air conditioning," he points out.
Lethal Heatwaves
In 2020, Jiménez studied the effects of excessive heat on different districts in Madrid. The findings? Only in three out of seventeen districts do heatwaves impact mortality rates. The individuals affected reside in districts with lower-than-average income levels. When analyzing the entire country, he reached the same conclusion.
The correlation goes beyond housing. Individuals with lower incomes have a harder time securing well-equipped homes. They also possess fewer air conditioners and frequently share living spaces with multiple individuals. Poverty also negatively impacts health and the immune system.
Europe has experienced an increasing number of heatwaves from the start of the century. As per the United Nations, temperatures in Europe are rising at a faster pace than in other continents, leading to fatal consequences.
A recent study published in "Nature Medicine" predicts approximately 47,690 heat-related deaths in 2023. Although it's an estimation, the researchers emphasize in "Nature Medicine" that with a 95% probability, the number of heat-related deaths in Europe this year will be between 28,800 and 66,500. The German Federal Ministry of Health approximates around 3,200 heat-related deaths in Germany for 2023.
References: Science Direct 1, Science Direct 2, "The Guardian", Bundesgesundheitsministerium
The heatwave predictions for 2023 suggest around 47,690 heat-related deaths across Europe, with the actual number likely within the range of 28,800 to 66,500. Due to financial constraints, individuals in lower-income households often reside in poorly equipped homes and share living spaces, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of heat waves.
