Exhaustion

There is limited evidence of temporal changes in the association between air temperature and the risk of cause-specific cardiovascular [CVD] and respiratory [RD] mortality. We analysed a total of 3,159,292 non-accidental, 1,063,198 CVD and 183,027 RD deaths. We found evidence of rising population susceptibility to both heat- and cold-related CVD and RD mortality risk from 1993 to 2016. Climate change mitigation and targeted adaptation strategies might help to reduce the number of temperature-related deaths in the future.

The report “Effects of Air Temperature Modified by Vulnerability Factors” was prepared as a milestone by researchers in the EU Project EXHAUSTION*. This report summarises the evidence on the interactive effects of high air temperature and various vulnerability factors, including the environmental, socio-economic, and individual behavioral factors on heart- and lung-related deaths and diseases (cardiopulmonary mortality and morbidity) across Europe

The effects of short-term exposure to increased temperature on mortality are known, mostly based on time-series studies of city-wide data, whereas the evidence on temperature- air pollution interaction is limited. We investigated the association of short-term exposure to high temperatures with mortality in the Attica prefecture, Greece, by municipality, in the warm period (May-September) during 2000-2016, assessing daily air pollution exposure as effect modifier.

The report “Interactive Effects of High Temperature and Air Pollution in Europe” was prepared as a milestone by researchers in the EU Project EXHAUSTION*. This report summarises the evidence on the interactive effects of high temperature and various air pollutants on heart- and lung-related deaths and diseases (cardiopulmonary (CPD) mortality and morbidity) across Europe. The study was conducted at the city, small-area (e.g. suburban areas or municipalities), and individual level. The findings highlight the urgency in improving air quality across Europe, and alert stakeholders and policymakers that climate change adaptation measures need to be also taken into account to protect vulnerable subgroups and thereby increase European resilience towards climate change.

The report “Effects of air Temperature on Cardiopulmonary Mortality and Morbidity in Europe” was prepared as a milestone of the EU Project EXHAUSTION. It summarizes the evidence on the effects of different levels and changes in ambient air temperature on cardiopulmonary (CPD) mortality and morbidity across Europe and puts a spotlight on the vulnerable and susceptible population. It can help stakeholders and policymakers to plan adaptation measures to protect the vulnerable and susceptible population and increase European resilience towards climate change and extreme weather events.