More than 175,000 Europeans die from the effects of extreme heat each year, according to the WHO

Chronic diseases, mental health, “heat stress”.. More than 175,000 people die from the effects of extreme heat each year in Europe, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Thursday (August 1). The WHO’s European region, which stretches into Central Asia, is the fastest warming region, at about twice the global average rate, according to the organization. Over the past 20 years, heat-related deaths there have increased by 30%.

“Extreme temperatures exacerbate chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebrovascular diseases, mental health and diabetes-related conditions,” explains WHO Europe. High temperatures are mainly the cause of “heat stress”, a phenomenon that occurs when the human body can no longer maintain its temperature between 36 and 37°C and which is today the main cause of climate-related mortality in Europe.

According to the WHO, the number of heat victims will increase “to skyrocket” in the coming years due to global warming, which is responsible for the increase in heat waves in Europe in recent decades. The UN organization recommends dealing with it by adopting simple behaviors: staying out of the heat, keeping your home cool and hydrating regularly. It calls for better care for vulnerable people, protect workers exposed to heat and limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5°C.