Global Heatstroke Mortality Rates

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that more and more people are dying from heat because of climate change and the planet getting hotter.

From 1998 to 2017, over 166,000 people around the world died because of heatwaves. And it looks like these days, even more people might be dying each year from extreme heat.

A 2023 study in The Lancet Planetary Health found that heat-related deaths are now causing over 500,000 extra deaths each year around the world, with a lot of these deaths happening because of heatstroke.

Heatstroke Deaths by Region

United States

• The CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says that around 702 people die from heat-related causes in the U.S. every year.
• More than 9,000 people end up in the hospital because of heat-related problems, like heatstroke.
• In 2023, Arizona saw a record-breaking 645 heat-related deaths, the highest we’ve ever seen in the state. In 2023, Arizona saw a record-breaking 645 heat-related deaths, the highest we’ve ever seen in the state.
• The 2021 Pacific Northwest heatwave led to over 600 deaths, with most people passing away because of heatstroke.

Europe

Europe has been hit hard by heatstroke-related deaths, especially during extreme heatwaves.

• Back in 2003, the heatwave caused over 70,000 deaths, making it one of the deadliest heat events ever.
• In 2022, another heatwave led to more than 61,000 deaths across Europe, with Spain and Portugal each losing over 3,000 lives.
• In 2023, nearly 48,000 people died from extreme heat, mostly in southern regions where temperatures stayed above 40°C (104°F) for long periods.

Asia

Asia, which has some of the hottest spots on the planet, has seen deadly heatwaves too.

• In India, over 20,000 people lost their lives to heatstroke between 1992 and 2015.
• The 2023 heatwave in India and Pakistan caused hundreds of deaths, with temperatures going way past 45°C (113°F) in some places.
• Japan had 1,582 heat-related deaths in 2020, the highest it’s ever been.
• China saw more than 600 heatstroke deaths in 2022, and we expect this number to go up as heatwaves get worse.

Other Affected Regions

• Australia often sees dangerous heatwaves, with more than 400 people dying from heat-related causes each year.
• The Middle East sees some of the hottest temperatures in the world. Heatstroke deaths are pretty common, especially for people who work outside.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Some groups are more likely to get heatstroke. For example:

• Older folks over 65 have a harder time keeping their body temperature in check.
• Babies and young kids generate more body heat but don’t sweat as well.
• People who work outside like construction workers, farmers, or delivery drivers spend a lot of time in the heat.
• Athletes and military folks do intense exercises in hot weather, which raises their risk.
• Folks with ongoing health issues like heart problems, diabetes, or obesity also find it tougher for their bodies to cool down.

The Impact of Climate Change on Heatstroke Deaths

• Global temperatures are going up, leading to longer, stronger, and more frequent heatwaves. This means the chances of getting heatstroke are a lot higher now.
• Cities with lots of people feel the urban heat island effect, where all that concrete and asphalt soak up the heat, making city areas way hotter than rural spots.
• If we don’t take action, climate models show that deaths caused by heat could double or even triple by 2050.

Final Thoughts

Heatstroke can be really serious and even deadly, but the good news is that we can prevent it. More and more people are dying from extreme heat around the world because of climate change and more frequent heatwaves. But if we stay aware, act early, and take the right precautions, we can cut down the risk of heat-related deaths a lot.

If you see someone showing signs of heatstroke, call for emergency help right away.

By keeping up with the latest info and taking action early, we can help protect ourselves and others from the really bad effects of extreme heat.