Population vulnerability to extreme heat

Description

This indicator derives a heat vulnerability index (0-100) by combining the percentage of the population older than 65 years, the percentage of the population living in urban areas, and the prevalence of diseases associated with increased heat vulnerability (chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes). Higher numbers represent higher vulnerability.

Caveats

Most countries use an urban classification related to the size or characteristics of settlements. This indicator does not consider the existence of heat early warning systems or action plans, access to cooling devices, or presence of green areas in cities.

Reference information

Websites:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00055-0/fulltext

https://www.lancetcountdown.org/europe/

Source:

Publication:

van Daalen, K. R., et al., 2024, The 2024 Europe report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: unprecedented warming demands unprecedented action, The Lancet Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00055-0

Data sources:

Population: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), 2020.
DALYs and deaths: Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network, 2019, Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019) Results.
Urban population: UNDP, 2018, World Urbanization Prospects: The 2018 Revision, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Additional reading:

Li, M., et al., 2015, Heat waves and morbidity: current knowledge and further direction-a comprehensive literature review, International journal of environmental research and public health 12(5), 5256-5283. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph12050525