The European Environment Agency report entitled “Climate Change as a Threat to Health and Well-being in Europe: Focus on Heat and Infectious Diseases” highlights the threat posed by prolonged high temperatures, showing how they result in a greater number of deaths and a reduction in labour productivity. A higher number of deaths from heart and respiratory diseases were recorded during heatwaves, especially among vulnerable groups, with the impact worsened by the urban heat island effect.


High temperatures can cause heat stress, increasing the risk of death from heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Moreover, indirect heat impacts on cardiovascular and respiratory systems and the exacerbation of existing health conditions by heat are other causes of increased mortality during hot weather. High temperatures also affect mental health and may increase the mortality risk of people with mental health problems. These direct and indirect impacts of heat have been recognised in over half of the national adaptation policies and health strategies across the 33 EEA member countries and six cooperating countries (EEA-38).


On the other hand, heat stress in the working environment can cause dehydration, which may reduce concentration and speed of reflexes, increasing the risk of work-related injuries.


Weather-dependent infectious diseases represent another emerging threat. Climatic conditions are becoming more suitable for the emergence and transmission of climate-dependent infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, or West Nile fever, also increasing the risk of transmission to previously unaffected areas of Europe. Local outbreaks increase due to longer transmission times and a wider distribution of disease carriers.


The WHO Europe guidance (2008) on heat health action planning names eight elements for the successful implementation of Heat Health Action Plans:


i) agreement on a lead body;

ii) accurate and timely alert systems;

iii) a heat-related health information plan;

iv) a reduction in indoor heat exposure;

v) particular care for vulnerable population groups;

vi) preparedness of the health and social care system;

vii) long-term urban planning;

viii) real-time surveillance and evaluation.


The European Climate and Health Observatory includes case studies of heatwave plans from Austria, Portugal, and North Macedonia. For example, following the 2003 heatwave, the Portuguese heatwave contingency plan was established, which operates every year from May to September and covers the whole of continental Portugal. The aim of the current plan is to prevent the adverse health effects of heat stress on the population during periods of elevated temperatures. Daily alerts are a key factor in the successful implementation of this plan, as they indicate what protection measures must be carried out.


Additionally, groups vulnerable to high temperatures and infectious diseases — elderly people, those in poor health, children, pregnant women, lower socio-economic groups, and those required to work outside — are vulnerable to other climate hazards. There is a need for more knowledge on the cumulative effects of various climate and environmental threats to human health, particularly vulnerable groups.


For more information please contact Grupo HPA Saude on (+351) 282 420 400.