WHO Warns of Increased Deaths Due to Heat in Europe

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday warned of the health risks of the significant rise in temperatures in southern Europe, noting that new record levels have been recorded worldwide in the wake of a climate crisis. Hans Kluge, the WHO's Regional Director, said in statements that Europe was the fastest among the six regions of the WHO to witness a rise in temperatures, noting that the residents of the 53 member states in the region pay the highest price for this. He explained that deaths due to heat have increased by 30% over the past twenty years, and the number of deaths due to heat has increased in almost all countries in the region where cases are monitored, calling on societies to become more resilient to heat waves by developing action plans. He noted that the negative health consequences of high temperatures can be largely avoided by taking the right measures. An estimated 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred worldwide annually between 2000 and 2019, including an average of 176,000 death s in Europe annually. Source: Qatar News Agency