WHO: heat wave in Europe claims over 175 thousand lives a year
Politico reported that, according to WHO, extreme heat causes more than 175 thousand deaths in Europe every year, and air temperatures continue to rise, TASS reports
According to WHO, from 2000 to 2019, 489 thousand heat-related deaths were recorded worldwide, of which an average of 176 thousand deaths per year (36 percent) occur in Europe.
It is reported that heat stress is the leading cause of climate-related deaths. Temperature extremes exacerbate chronic conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebrovascular diseases, mental health, and diabetes-related conditions. Over the past two decades, there has been a 30 percent increase in heat-related mortality.
WHO notes that Europe belongs to those regions of the world where the average air temperature is rising the fastest – twice ahead of the global average rate.
