HIBAPRESS-RABAT
Heat poses a significant environmental and occupational health risk. Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths, can exacerbate underlying conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma and mental disorders, and increase the risk of accidents and transmission of some infectious diseases. Heat stroke is a medical emergency with a high case fatality rate.
The number of people exposed to extreme heat is increasing exponentially due to climate change in all regions of the world. Heat-related mortality among people over 65 years of age increased by approximately 85% between 2000–2004 and 2017–2021.
Studies show that between 2000 and 2019, approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred each year, 45% of which occurred in Asia and 36% in Europe. In Europe alone, the number of excess heat-related deaths is estimated at 61,672 in the summer of 2022.
Heat waves of severe intensity can lead to high acute mortality. For example, in Europe, the June-August 2003 event caused 70,000 deaths. In the Russian Federation, a 44-day heat wave caused 56,000 excess deaths in 2010.
