A recent study showed that wealthier European cities are exposed to higher heat waves, as they record higher death rates compared to less wealthy cities, in a paradox that reflects the complexity of the relationship between wealth and climate, according to the Spanish newspaper "El Pais".
And according to a study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) published in the journal Nature Health, the impact of social and economic inequality on mortality has been linked to temperatures in 32 European countries.
The study also relied on data on about 161 million deaths from various causes between 2000 and 2019, within the EARLY-ADAPT project database.
As reported in the Spanish newspaper, the research looked at the impact of factors such as household income, and life expectancy on heat- and cold-related deaths.
And socioeconomic factors are an essential part of quality of life and the magnitude of the impact of temperatures on premature deaths, said researcher Blanca Panio Castillo.
According to the findings, the most economically vulnerable are most affected by climate change, especially during cold waves, but the paradox is that the wealthiest regions have the highest mortality rates during heatwaves.
And high-income areas typically have decent housing and strong health infrastructure, minimizing the effects of the cold, Banyo-Castillo explains. "These areas are often cities that lack green spaces and are dominated by the cement structure that increases the phenomenon of urban thermal islands," she said.
And the study suggests that this urban factor leads to heat retention within cities, which raises mortality rates during periods of high temperatures.
Despite this paradox, researchers assert that lower-income groups have higher mortality rates; Due to the high temperatures, this is due to the difficulty of heating homes and the physical and social deprivation.
The study shows that the proportion of cold-related deaths in Europe exceeds that of heat-related; This is due to the extended cold season during the year, in addition to seasonal diseases such as influenza.
And comparing socioeconomic conditions in wealthier and more fragile regions, the study found that more than 301,000 deaths were linked to the inability to heat homes, more than 180,000 to income inequality, and more than 183,000 to aging.
And the findings highlight the crucial role of social inequalities in determining the risk of temperature-related deaths in Europe, underscoring the need for fairer climate adaptation strategies.
And Banyo-Castillo says integrating the social dimension into climate adaptation policies has a “double impact”, contributing to both reducing social inequalities and reducing the effects of heat.
And while cold deaths are still the highest currently, researchers warn that heatwaves are on the rise due to climate change, with more than 180,000 deaths from global warming recorded in Europe between 2022 and 2024, making heat exposure one of the continent’s most important future health challenges.
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