A study by the Ministry of Environmental Protection sheds light for the first time on the connection between heat waves and mortality in Israel and the climate crisis: each heat wave in Israel leads to an average excess mortality of about 45 people;
The harm is particularly great in populations over the age of 70.
The study, conducted by Dr. Dan Yemin and Dr. Erez Shmueli of Tel Aviv University, funded by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, examined the effects of heat waves on mortality in Israel.
The frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves throughout the world, including in Israel, are on the rise, and the rate of increase is higher than expected so far.
Compared to floods or fires, in which the direct physical impact on the economy and human health is clear, the impact of heat waves is more complex, mainly affecting vulnerable populations.
As part of the study, a preliminary analysis was performed to examine the presence of excess mortality in Israel following heat waves.
The study examined heat waves during the years 2012 to 2020, and analyzed mortality data in Israel (excluding corona) in parallel with the heat waves.
The surgery was performed in two different ways: one by examining an abnormality in excess mortality according to an existing model (Pavilion and its booklets, 2020) that characterized the daily mortality pattern in Israel and based on daily data of temperature, humidity, and acute respiratory infection, and the other by comparing weeks In them there was a heat wave for the next few weeks (regardless of the model forecasts).
In both methods, it was found that in Israel there is a sharp and significant increase in mortality during the weeks when there were heat waves.
On average, each heat wave led to the deaths of about 45 people, whose lives might have been spared had there been a proper deployment.
In the sum of the eight cases of hot flashes examined in the study, an excess mortality of 363 people was found.
For example, after the heat wave that began on April 26, 2013, 871 people died, while model forecasts predicted a weekly mortality of 811 people (excess mortality of 60 people).
Most of the mortality abnormality was observed in adults over the age of 70, who accounted for 88.5% of all deaths following a heat wave.
Studies in various countries around the world have found that not only is the mortality rate on the rise as a result of hot flashes, but also the number of hospitalizations, duration of hospitalization and health care costs are rising significantly.
Reasons for hospitalization are due to background diseases such as cardiovascular, cervical-vascular disease (damage to blood vessels in the brain), acute respiratory distress syndrome and kidney disease.
Their patients are more sensitive to fever, as well as to psychiatric illnesses and dehydration.
Minister Zandberg on the death toll from heat in Israel: "Illustrates the urgent need to prepare for the climate crisis" // Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Environmental Protection
It is of great importance to understand the medical consequences of heat waves in order to prevent them and prepare for them as much as possible, in order to reduce premature mortality, suffering and medical expenses.
Most of the medical consequences of heat waves can be prevented with the help of early preparation and economically effective warning systems as well.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and government ministries are working within the framework of the plan for preparing for a climate crisis, in order to prepare for the heat waves and the expected increase in their intensity, frequency and duration.
Minister of Environmental Protection, Tamar Zandberg: "The climate crisis is a real threat to health and life. The study shows the impact of heat waves and the climate crisis on excess mortality, especially in vulnerable populations. "And all government bodies and local authorities must prepare for the heat waves, in order to reduce premature mortality, suffering and medical expenses."
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us
