Struggling with financial troubles can make heatwaves more destructive. According to Julio Díaz Jiménez, a researcher at the Madrid Health Institute Carlos III, as stated in "The Guardian", the impact of a heatwave is not the same for everyone. If you're living in a cramped dorm with no air conditioning, it's a completely different experience compared to having a villa with a pool and air conditioning, he highlights.
Studies conducted by Jiménez in Madrid and at a national level revealed that heatwaves significantly impact mortality rates primarily in districts with lower-income families. The correlation extends beyond housing. Lower-income families face challenges securing well-equipped homes and lack air conditioners, forcing individuals to share living spaces with multiple people. Moreover, poverty contributes to poor health and weakened immune systems.
Europe has endured an increasing number of heatwaves since the beginning of the century. As reported by the United Nations, temperatures in Europe are increasing at a faster pace than in other continents, leading to fatal consequences.
A study published in "Nature Medicine" predicts a staggering 47,690 heat-related deaths in Europe in 2023. While it's an estimate, researchers emphasize in "Nature Medicine" that with a 95% probability, the number of heat-related deaths in Europe this year will be between 28,800 and 66,500. The German Federal Ministry of Health estimates approximately 3,200 heat-related deaths in Germany for 2023.
The predictions for heatwaves in 2023 suggest around 47,690 heat-related deaths across Europe, with a likely actual number lying within the range of 28,800 to 66,500. Financial constraints often force individuals in lower-income households to reside in poorly equipped homes and share living spaces, thereby making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of heat waves.
Additional Insights
Poverty complicates the issue further by limiting access to adequate housing, cooling solutions, and essential services. The elderly, pregnant women, infants, outdoor workers, and the poor are the most susceptible to heat-related illnesses, due to insufficient resources and health disparities.
Economic insecurity forces many low-income individuals to work outside during the summer's peak seasons, without proper shade or hydration. Additionally, limited access to healthcare services exacerbates the health impacts of heatwaves.
Gender-specific impacts are also prominent, with women in agricultural and informal sectors being disproportionately affected.
To summarize, poverty amplifies vulnerability to heatwaves by restricting access to basic cooling solutions, worsening urban heat island effects, and perpetuating health disparities among vulnerable communities. This combination leads to a higher mortality rate from heat-related issues in Europe, primarily affecting lower-income families and marginalized communities.
