Heatwaves: European Capitals With the Highest Risk For the Elderly

Temperatures already started to climb in Spain last week with the first heatwave of the summer producing highs of up to 44°C (113°F) on Monday. Heatwaves can have dramatic effects, especially for the elderly and people with health problems. A study published in March this year in the scientific journal The Lancet compares the excess mortality of people aged 85 and over in European cities (854 in total) in the event of extreme temperature events between 2000 and 2019.

The study shows that Paris, among the 30 European capitals analyzed, is the city with the highest risk of excess mortality of older adults in the event of heatwaves (relative risk of 1,603). Amsterdam (1,595) and Rome (1,572) are very close to the French capital, while Madrid (1,402) is also among the capitals that are dangerous for the elderly in times of extreme heat.