The summer heatwaves in Europe resulted in more than 61,000 deaths in 2022, the majority being women and elderly individuals, according to a recent study.

Data Analysis: The research reviewed data from 35 European countries, estimating that 61,672 heat-related deaths occurred between May 30 to September 4, 2022.
* Italy, Spain, and Germany reported the highest numbers of heat-related fatalities.
* It was also highlighted that the summer of 2022 was Europe’s hottest on record.

Demographic Impact: The study provided a detailed analysis on the demographics of fatalities due to heatwaves.
* Those majorly affected were women and elderly individuals. Over the summer, women accounted for 35,406 deaths compared to 21,667 men.
* These heat-attributable deaths were mostly among people aged 80 years and older.
* Italy had the most heat-attributable deaths over the summer, with 18,010, followed by Spain (11,324) and Germany (8,173).
* The highest heat-related mortality rate was observed in Italy, with 295 deaths per million, followed by Greece (280), Spain (237), and Portugal (211), as compared to Europe’s average of 114 deaths per million.

Strategy Review: As these findings suggest current adaptation strategies not being sufficient, there’s a call for European countries to strengthen their surveillance, prevention and adaptation strategies.
* The 2003 heatwave, which resulted in over 70,000 excess deaths, pushed many European countries, especially France, to implement heat prevention plans to protect vulnerable populations.
* Hicham Achebak, one of the authors of the study, expressed doubts about the effectiveness of these existing adaptation strategies.
* Chiara Martinelli, the director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, urged governments to take stronger measures to combat global warming and protect all populations.

Forecasts: The study warns of worsening conditions, predicting over 68,000 heat-related deaths every summer by 2030 and exceeding 120,000 by 2050.
* Extreme heat is projected to significantly increase across Europe, particularly in southern regions.
* Even after employing prevention plans, these numbers highlight the need for stronger heat prevention and adaptation approaches.

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