Pedro Gullón
Social epidemiologist and doctor specialising in preventive medicine and public health at the University of Alcalá
This article analyses the mortality impact of the 2022 heatwaves in Europe. It is estimated that heatwaves in the summer of 2022 could be associated with 61,672 deaths, with southern European countries being particularly affected.
This impact could be similar to that of the 2003 heatwaves, although comparisons are difficult to make due to methodological differences between the models used then and now.
Beyond the position in the ranking, the article highlights the importance of last year's heatwaves and, in view of climate forecasts, obliges public health authorities to put all their surveillance and control resources into the impact of heatwaves.