In 2023, Europe recorded over 47,000 heat-related deaths, marking it the second highest toll in the last decade, as per a study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) published in Nature Medicine. The study highlights significant adaptation measures over the years, which have led to an 80% reduction in potential heat-related mortality.

Key Findings:
– **Death Toll**: An estimated 47,690 deaths were linked to heat exposure across 35 European countries.
– **Southern Europe Impact**: Countries like Greece (393 deaths/million), Bulgaria (229), and Italy (209) faced the highest mortality rates.
– **Vulnerable Populations**: Women experienced 55% higher mortality rates than men, and individuals over 80 years old faced a staggering 768% greater risk compared to those aged 65-79.
– **Estimation Method**: The researchers used mortality data from 2015-2019 to model heat-related mortality for 2023, accounting for temperature fluctuations that did not match those of 2022’s extreme heat.
– **Potential Underestimations**: Lack of consistent daily mortality records may mean actual numbers could be as high as 58,000 deaths.

Adaptation Efforts:
– Societal adaptations have improved resilience against heat, reducing vulnerability significantly.
– The optimum temperature for lowest mortality risk has increased from 15°C to 17.7°C since 2000.

Challenges Ahead:
– Europe is warming at double the global average, with nearly half of the days exceeding the 1.5°C threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement.
– Urgent measures are needed to mitigate future health impacts, combined with better monitoring and adaptation strategies.

New Tools:
– The launch of Forecaster.health, a public tool predicting mortality risk linked to temperature changes, aims to offer foresight for vulnerable populations across Europe.