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Heat in Germany: Health risks and preventive measures
Claudia Winklmayr1, Franziska Matthies-Wiesler2,3, Stefan Muthers4
1Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) Berlin, Germany.
Journal of Health Monitoring
|October 6, 2023
Summary
Germany is experiencing significant warming, with recent summers being the hottest on record. Rising temperatures pose serious health risks, necessitating urgent adaptation and research for effective heat-health action plans.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Climate Science
Background:
- Germany has experienced a significant temperature increase, with the past decade averaging 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Eight of the ten hottest summers since 1881 occurred in the last 30 years, highlighting a clear warming trend.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current knowledge on heat and its health impacts in Germany.
- To review existing adaptation measures and discuss future implementation and research needs.
Main Methods:
- Selective literature search.
- Inclusion of authors' own results.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on heat-health impacts and adaptation.
Main Results:
- Heat exacerbates pre-existing cardiovascular, respiratory, and kidney conditions.
- Adverse medication side effects and increased mortality are observed during heat events.
- Existing mitigation strategies include heat alerts and heat-health action plan recommendations.
Conclusions:
- Awareness of heat's health impacts and the need for protection have increased.
- Further action and research are crucial for effective heat-related health protection.
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