New study: In Israel, there is a sharp and significant increase in mortality during heat waves

According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, each heat wave in Israel results in an average of 45 deaths - especially those aged 70 and over - whose lives could have been saved if there had been a proper preparation.

The frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves throughout the world, including in Israel, are on the rise

Yoav Itiel

31/05/2022

Tuesday, May 31, 2022, 1:00 p.m.

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A new and preliminary study published today (Tuesday) finds 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.

The study was conducted by Dr. Dan Yemin and Dr. Erez Shmueli from Tel Aviv University at the invitation of Prof. Noga Kronfeld-Schur, Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and funded by the ministry.

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 operation was performed in two different ways and in both cases 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 summary of the eight heat waves 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.

This figure in itself constitutes a deviation from the norm, since routinely this population constitutes 70-73% of the total deaths, and indicates the high sensitivity of this population to heat waves.

It is possible to prepare and prevent unnecessary death.

Burning sun on the beach in Tel Aviv (Photo: Reuven Castro)

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 include cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease (damage to the blood vessels in the brain), acute respiratory distress syndrome and kidney disease, in which patients are more sensitive to fever, as well as psychiatric and dehydration diseases.

Studies around the world also indicate that the impact of heat waves on hospitalizations and mortality is particularly high in adults, women, and low-socioeconomic populations.

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.

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The ministry notes that 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.

"Most of the medical consequences of heat waves can be prevented with the help of early deployment and economically effective warning systems," the ministry said.

Minister Tamar Zandberg also called on all government bodies and local authorities to prepare to deal with the phenomenon, "in order to reduce premature mortality, suffering and medical expenses."

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