All official European Union website addresses are in the europa.eu domain.
See all EU institutions and bodies
An official website of the European Union | How do you know?
Environmental information systems
EN
Climate change affects all Europeans, but its impacts are not felt equally. Older people, children, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions face the greatest risks, while socio-economically disadvantaged groups are also particularly vulnerable. Addressing these disparities requires resilient infrastructure, robust health system preparedness, and targeted adaptation measures that prioritize and protect the most vulnerable populations.
Climate change impacts all Europeans, but the level of impact differs across society. Older people, children, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are among those most at risk of experiencing climate related health impacts. Socio-economically disadvantaged populations, including those with lower income, education, or access to healthcare, also face heightened vulnerabilities because they may have less capacity to adapt or recover from climate-related risks. Outdoor workers and people living in densely built urban areas, where heat islands can raise local temperatures by several degrees, are also vulnerable.
Heatwaves represent the most severe and widespread climate-related health threat in Europe (EEA, 2024). The frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme heat events are rising, contributing to tens of thousands of excess deaths in recent summers (EEA, 2024). In addition, many hospitals, schools, and healthcare facilities are in heat-prone or flood-risk zones - about 46% of hospitals and 43% of schools are in areas at least 2°C warmer than their surroundings, while approximately 10 of schools and 11% of hospitals are situated in flood-prone regions (European Climate and Health Observatory, 2022). Southern and central Europe, including countries such as Italy, Greece, and Spain, are particularly affected by the combination of heat exposure, aging populations, and high urbanization rates.
Climate-related exposures often coincide with social inequalities, meaning that those already disadvantaged bear a disproportionate share of health risks. Adaptation measures frequently overlook these disparities or fail to reach the groups most in need (EEA, 2025). As Europe’s population continues to age and urban areas expand, addressing the exposure of vulnerable groups becomes increasingly urgent. Strengthening health system preparedness, improving building and infrastructure resilience, and integrating social vulnerability into climate adaptation planning are essential steps. Enhancing urban green spaces, providing accessible cooling options, and targeting resources to low-income and marginalized communities will be critical to reducing unequal exposure and protecting health in a changing climate.
Related resources
References
Language preference detected
Do you want to see the page translated into ?
Exclusion of liability
This translation is generated by eTranslation, a machine translation tool provided by the European Commission.