Inequality causing 100,000 extra deaths a year from heat and cold in Europe
Summary
A study found that economic inequality causes over 100,000 additional deaths each year in Europe from extreme heat and cold. Reducing inequality to the level of the most equal regions could lower these temperature-related deaths by about 30%.Key Facts
- Economic inequality adds roughly 110,000 extra deaths annually in Europe due to heat and cold.
- Matching the lowest inequality levels in Europe could reduce these deaths by 30%.
- The study used health and economic data from 654 European regions between 2000 and 2019.
- High death rates from heat and cold are linked to poverty and poor home heating.
- Cold causes more deaths currently, but heat-related deaths may rise with global warming.
- Wealthier regions have fewer cold deaths but sometimes more heat deaths, possibly due to urban heat effects.
- The research supports targeting help to vulnerable groups and reducing long-term inequality.
- Europe's temperatures are rising faster than anywhere else, increasing health risks.
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