Patterns of extreme temperature-related catastrophic events in Europe including the Russian Federation: a cross-sectional analysis of the Emergency Events Database. Issue 6 (15th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brennenstuhl, Heiko; Will, Manuel; Ries, Elias; Mechler, Konstantin; Garbade, Sven; Ries, Markus
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 11:Issue 6(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-15
• Subjects: accident & emergency medicine -- epidemiology -- risk management -- community child health -- public health; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046359
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To investigate reported extreme temperature-related catastrophic events and associated mortality on the European continent including the Russian Federation. Design: Cross-sectional respecting Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) criteria. Settings: Data source: Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT). Participants: Search criteria: location—European continent including Russian Federation, time—years 1988 until 2019 (close of database 12 July 2019), catastrophic events—extreme temperatures. Primary outcome measures: Numbers of heat waves, cold waves, severe winter conditions and associated number of deaths, overall, and per country and year, respecting STROBE criteria. Results: The most frequent type of the 243 events recorded in EM-DAT were cold waves (54.7%). However, cold waves and severe winter conditions only accounted for 6460 deaths (4.5%), while heat waves were associated with 137 533 deaths (95.5%). The five most severe heat waves in 2003, 2006, 2010, 2013 and 2015 were associated with a total of 135 089 deaths. The most severe heat waves were geographically distributed over the Russian Federation (2010), as well as France, Italy, Spain and Germany, each in 2003. Conclusion: Although cold waves are more frequently reported in EM-DAT, heat waves are the major cause for temperature-related deaths. In order to better protect the public, it is important to address resiliency and vulnerability of populations at risk and age groups.