Recently published research by Ballester et al. estimate that heat caused over 61,000 deaths across Europe in the summer of 2022. Calculated figures for individual countries in the study differ from national counts or estimates used in the Observatory’s heat-related mortality indicator. Experts explained to the Global Heat Health Information Network that several different valid scientific explorations of heat impact exist, which provide important risk insights for planners and policymakers. Notwithstanding the differences, there is a general consent that heat-related death counts underestimate the true impact, and that heat is a significant and largely unmanaged risk with a heavy toll on society. Hence, the focus on the difference in estimates should not distract from the fact that all the numbers are unacceptably high, particularly given that effective actions exist to prevent heat-related deaths. Instead, all findings call for increasing the ambition and effectiveness of heat prevention and adaptation plans, together with appropriate allocation of resources needed to prepare for and address the impacts of heat.

More insights from the experts can be consulted on the website of the Global Heat Health Information Network.

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This translation is generated by eTranslation, a machine translation tool provided by the European Commission.