More than 200,000 people have died in Europe due to heat-related causes in the last four years.
Modern.az reports that "Medical Xpress" wrote about this, citing data from the European Bureau of the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the organization's assessment, a significant part of these deaths could have been prevented if countries were better prepared for extreme temperature conditions.
Hans Kluge, director of the WHO European Bureau, stated that climate change is no longer a problem of the distant future: “It is a direct and deadly threat.”
According to him, heat waves have ceased to be a rare phenomenon and have become a regular factor posing a serious risk to health systems and infrastructure.
Experts note that rising temperatures in summer not only cause discomfort but also lead to serious health problems such as heat exhaustion and deadly heatstroke.
Elderly people, children, individuals suffering from heart, lung, and kidney diseases, as well as those working outdoors, are considered the most at-risk groups.
WHO emphasizes that a large part of the deaths are related to countries' lack of systematic adaptation to heat. The organization calls on states to develop national action plans that include measures such as establishing cooling centers, adjusting work schedules, and preventing people from staying outdoors during the hottest hours of the day.
According to the organization, the main goal should be “zero deaths from heat.” This requires long-term investments in healthcare, infrastructure, and urban planning.
Experts also warn that the El Niño phenomenon forming in the Pacific Ocean could further accelerate global warming and increase the number of extreme weather events in various regions of the world.
WHO has also provided a number of recommendations for protection against hot weather. The organization advises staying away from direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, spending time in cool places, keeping windows closed during the day, and ventilating apartments at night.
In places where air conditioning is used, it is recommended to keep the temperature at approximately 27 degrees Celsius.
In addition, it is advised to drink enough water, take cool showers or cool the p with wet compresses, as well as use light-colored, light, and comfortable clothing.
WHO also warned that leaving children and animals alone in a car, even for a short period, can lead to fatal consequences.
The organization recommends that citizens regularly inquire about the condition of their elderly relatives and neighbors living alone.
According to experts, extreme heat is one of the most dangerous and underestimated climate threats of our time, and this risk will further increase in the coming years.
