Heat-related mortality in Europe during the summer of 2022

TLDR

Heat waves in Europe have historically caused excess mortality, prompting adaptation strategies after the 2003 summer. The study aimed to quantify the heat‑related mortality burden during the hottest season on record in Europe, the summer of 2022. The authors analyzed the Eurostat mortality database, which includes 45,184,044 death counts from 823 contiguous regions in 35 European countries, representing the entire population of over 543 million people. The study estimated 61,672 heat‑related deaths (95 % CI 37,643–86,807) in Europe during the 2022 summer, with Italy, Spain and Germany reporting the highest absolute numbers, Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal the highest rates, women experiencing 56 % more deaths than men, and age‑specific increases of +41 % in men 0–64, +14 % in men 65–79 and +27 % in women 80+, underscoring the need to strengthen heat surveillance, prevention and adaptation strategies.

Abstract

Abstract Over 70,000 excess deaths occurred in Europe during the summer of 2003. The resulting societal awareness led to the design and implementation of adaptation strategies to protect at-risk populations. We aimed to quantify heat-related mortality burden during the summer of 2022, the hottest season on record in Europe. We analyzed the Eurostat mortality database, which includes 45,184,044 counts of death from 823 contiguous regions in 35 European countries, representing the whole population of over 543 million people. We estimated 61,672 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 37,643–86,807) heat-related deaths in Europe between 30 May and 4 September 2022. Italy (18,010 deaths; 95% CI = 13,793–22,225), Spain (11,324; 95% CI = 7,908–14,880) and Germany (8,173; 95% CI = 5,374–11,018) had the highest summer heat-related mortality numbers, while Italy (295 deaths per million, 95% CI = 226–364), Greece (280, 95% CI = 201–355), Spain (237, 95% CI = 166–312) and Portugal (211, 95% CI = 162–255) had the highest heat-related mortality rates. Relative to population, we estimated 56% more heat-related deaths in women than men, with higher rates in men aged 0–64 (+41%) and 65–79 (+14%) years, and in women aged 80+ years (+27%). Our results call for a reevaluation and strengthening of existing heat surveillance platforms, prevention plans and long-term adaptation strategies.