** Record-breaking, increasingly frequent, intense, and deadly heatwaves gripping Europe represent not just a climate crisis but a public health emergency, states the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health (PE-CCH) in an open letter to member state governments. Operating under the WHO European Office, the Commission reports heat-related mortality has surged by 30% over the last two decades, claiming over 100,000 lives, with fatalities projected to rise further.
Rising temperatures are transforming the infectious disease landscape and escalating pressure on European health systems, the PE-CCH emphasizes. “Climate change is fuelling the spread of diseases once rare in the region,” the letter states, citing a staggering 368% increase in locally acquired dengue cases within the EU and European Economic Area between 2022 and 2024.
Healthcare services are under growing strain. Emergency departments report increased admissions during heatwaves, particularly for heart, lung, and kidney conditions. Mental health is also impacted, with worsening sleep, heightened anxiety, and reduced cognitive function. Furthermore, individuals with mental health conditions face heightened risks of heatstroke and hospitalization, as certain medications impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
Heat also intensifies challenges for health workers and infrastructure. “Healthcare workers are at risk of heatstroke and burnout, while the systems they rely on – from cooling to IT – face increased failure risks,” the experts conclude, stressing that “these vulnerabilities are not isolated: they are systemic and growing.” The Commission urgently calls for heightened efforts to combat climate change.