Heat waves in Germany: This is how we protect the vulnerable!

Heat waves in Germany: This is how we protect the vulnerable!

The summer heat in Germany not only causes problems for people, it also brings with it a variety of health risks. Loud Deutschlandfunk From 2003 to 2023, an average of 22 people died each year from heat-related complications. In 2023, however, there were already 37 heat deaths, which is clearly above average. What remains particularly worrying is that many of us are increasingly struggling with the consequences of increasing heat, especially in urban hustle and bustle.

But not everyone is hit equally. Particularly vulnerable groups are older people, pregnant women, children and people with chronic illnesses, such as this Robert Koch Institute (RKI) determines. These groups are particularly vulnerable to heat stress, which can lead to a variety of health problems: from heat cramps to difficulty breathing to increased mortality rates during extreme heat waves.

Heat waves as a challenge

Extreme weather conditions have no longer been uncommon since the hot summer of 2003. A staggering eight of the ten hottest summers have been recorded in the last 30 years, which also impacts our cities. Temperatures in urban areas are often over 10°C higher than in rural areas, such as this Federal Environment Agency reported. Preparation for such extreme weather events is often inadequate, especially in nursing homes and hospitals. The social association VdK is calling for structural adjustments and specific training for nursing staff.

The pandemic has had some positive effects on the number of hospital admissions. In 2023, only a good 800 cases of heat effects were recorded, a decrease compared to previous years. Experts attribute this to a combination of greater sensitivity among the population and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the need for better heat protection remains. One in five households in Germany now has air conditioning, an increase of 13 percent last year.

Additional support required

The CDU Senior Citizens' Union is in favor of introducing targeted protective measures for older people during heat waves. These include improved care concepts in care facilities and emergency plans to ensure that vulnerable groups are protected as best as possible. The Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband also emphasizes that poor people in particular often live in poorly insulated apartments without adequate air conditioning and are therefore more affected.

The RKI also emphasizes the importance of effective monitoring for providing reliable information and preventive heat protection measures. The cooperation between various ministries and institutions must be intensified in order to be able to respond better to the challenges of climate change and the resulting health risks.

Climate change cannot be ignored: As temperatures continue to rise in Germany, the number of heat-related deaths will also increase. It is estimated that up to 8,500 additional heat-related deaths could be expected annually by around 2100. We are all asked to take responsibility and ensure that both our fellow human beings and our environment are protected in the best possible way.