Global warming could reduce European mortality

Mortality increases with excess heat or cold, but the temperatures at which populations are affected vary geographically. Keatinge et al (p 670) studied mortality in people aged 65 in seven regions of Europe, ranging from the Arctic to the Mediterranean, and found that heat related deaths started at a higher temperature in hot than in cold regions. Overall annual heat related mortality was therefore no greater in hot than in cold regions. The authors conclude that, given time, populations would adjust to hotter summers caused by global warming. Further action to prevent relaxation of protective measures against the cold, which causes much greater mortality, could allow substantial reduction in overall mortality in Europe as winters become milder.

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Relevant Article

Heat related mortality in warm and cold regions of Europe: observational study

W R Keatinge, G C Donaldson, Elvira Cordioli, M Martinelli, A E Kunst, J P Mackenbach, S Nayha, and I Vuori
BMJ 2000 321: 670-673. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]