GDP doesn't protect against the heat: European regions with more resources face a higher risk of mortality from high temperatures

"European regions with higher socioeconomic levels have a greater risk of mortality from high temperatures than less privileged ones. The study quantifies how socio-economic factors impact vulnerability to heat- and cold-related mortality in 32 European countries. It uses data from the EARLY-ADAPT project database, which includes 161 million deaths from all causes between 2000 and 2019. The analysis examines how factors such as GDP, household income, and life expectancy influence temperature-related deaths."

"As expected, the weather doesn't affect everyone equally, and the most disadvantaged bear the brunt of it, especially when it comes to the cold. However, with heat, the situation is different, and the risk of death associated with high temperatures is greater in regions with greater resources. European regions with higher GDP, household income, and life expectancy show lower mortality rates associated with cold weather, probably because they have better-insulated housing, better healthcare infrastructure, or less energy poverty."

"However, these same regions with more resources show higher mortality rates due to heat, and we believe this is because they are areas with more intense urbanization, especially in cities, she notes. According to the researcher, other studies have already shown that regions with greater socioeconomic resources tend to be u"

European regions with higher socioeconomic levels show greater mortality risk from high temperatures than less privileged regions. A study quantifies how socioeconomic factors shape vulnerability to heat- and cold-related deaths across 32 European countries using data covering 161 million deaths from 2000 to 2019. The analysis links indicators such as GDP, household income, and life expectancy to temperature-related mortality. Disadvantaged regions bear more cold-related mortality, consistent with poorer housing insulation, weaker healthcare access, and energy poverty. In contrast, regions with higher resources show lower cold-related mortality, but higher heat-related mortality. The elevated heat risk is attributed to more intense urbanization, especially in cities, where heat exposure can be greater.

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