Extreme heat kills more than 175,000 Europeans each year

Extreme heat kills more than 175,000 people each year in Europe, where temperatures are rising faster than the rest of the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on August 1.

According to WHO, of the approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths recorded by WHO each year between 2000 and 2019, the European region accounted for 36%, or an average of 176,040 deaths.

The WHO European region includes 53 countries, including several in Central Asia. WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge stressed that "people are paying a high price".

Extreme heat exacerbates chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebrovascular diseases, mental health and diabetes-related conditions. Extreme heat is a major problem for older people and pregnant women, Kluge noted.

Heatstroke, which occurs when the human body is no longer able to maintain a comfortable temperature, is the leading cause of climate-related deaths in the European region, the WHO said.

The WHO predicts that the number of heat-related deaths is expected to skyrocket in the coming years due to global warming.

According to Director Kluge, the European region has experienced its three hottest years on record since 2020 and its 10 hottest years since 2007.

On July 25, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that humanity is suffering from an "extreme heat epidemic" and called for action to limit the impact of heat waves that are exacerbated by climate change.