This year, Germany has recorded more than 3,000 heat-related deaths

Most of the victims were women and elderly people over 75 years old

Most of the victims in the European country were women and elderly people over the age of 75. Temperatures are getting hotter due to climate change and that is leading to more deaths, scientists say. Around 3,100 people have died this year in Germany due to high temperatures, says a preliminary report by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the national public health agency.

According to the agency, the majority of heat-related deaths have involved people aged 75 and older. Mortality was also higher among women than among men, but this may be related to the fact that there are more elderly women than elderly men in Germany.

Despite the high number of deaths, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said the situation could be even worse, pointing out that a heat protection plan launched by the government this year prevented deaths from exceeding the 4,000 mark. “Many lives were saved,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The plan included, among other measures, the launch of messages aimed at the elderly and people with comorbidities so that they can better protect themselves in case of extreme heat.

Comparison with other years

In 2022, the RKI had reported 4,500 heat-related deaths, but stressed that the number had been exceptionally high last summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Looking at the last decade, the years that recorded the highest mortality were 2015, 2018 and 2019, each with more than 6,000 deaths.

In 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2021 the estimated number of deaths was significantly lower, ranging between 1,000 and 1,700 per year. “These differences can be attributed to different degrees of heat episodes,” the report states.

Because heat kills

The RKI further explained that the number of deaths related to high temperatures is an estimate made using statistical methods, combining mortality rates from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) and temperature measurements from the German Meteorological Service (DWD).

In most cases, the combination of heat and pre-existing conditions leads to death. Death certificates rarely have heat listed as the cause of death.

Heat kills because it increases the risk of health problems, as the body’s organs, such as the kidneys or heart, are affected by the increase in internal temperature.

People with pre-existing conditions are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

Deadly heat waves around the world

Deadly heatwaves are becoming more common every year due to climate change, scientists say. And temperatures are even higher now, after more than half a century of burning coal and oil, they say.

A report from the European climate service Copernicus says that August this year was the hottest August ever recorded with modern equipment, and that 2023, so far, was the second warmest year.

Germany, in turn, had the warmest September in its history, DWD reported on Friday (29/09). With an average temperature of 17.2°C, it was the warmest and second sunniest September since weather measurements began in 1881.

ek (DW, DPA)

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.