Vulnerable populations : lessons learnt from the summer 2003 heat waves in Europe

What lessons can be learnt from the exceptionally long and severe heatwave experienced in Europe in 2003? First, that these heatwaves can be responsible for a dramatic excess mortality: certainly more than 50 000 excess deaths for Europe in August 2003. The consequences of the heatwave were probably...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEuro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles Vol. 10; no. 7-9; pp. 147 - 2
Main Author BRUCKER, G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Saint-Maurice Centre européen pour la surveillance épidémiologique du sida 01.07.2005
Subjects
Air Pollution - adverse effects
Biological and medical sciences
Europe - epidemiology
Heat Stress Disorders - mortality
Hot Temperature - adverse effects
Humans
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Population Dynamics
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Seasons
Vulnerable Populations - statistics & numerical data
Weather
Europe
Human
Biometeorology
Temperature
Hot climate
Risk factor
Network
Air pollution
Housing
Sanitary surveillance
Elderly
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Summary:What lessons can be learnt from the exceptionally long and severe heatwave experienced in Europe in 2003? First, that these heatwaves can be responsible for a dramatic excess mortality: certainly more than 50 000 excess deaths for Europe in August 2003. The consequences of the heatwave were probably underestimated in many countries, at least those based on the first estimates. This excess mortality affects vulnerable groups, particularly those who are old or ill. Identification of risk factors is a priority if the necessary prevention actions are to be implemented.
ISSN:1025-496X
1560-7917
1560-7917
DOI:10.2807/esm.10.07.00551-en