Extreme Temperatures and Health in Spain in a Context of Climate Change: Some Lines of Research

• Main Authors: Cristina Linares, Rocío Carmona, Cristina Ortiz, Isidro J. Mirón, Julio Díaz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedad Española de Sanidad Ambiental 2017-06-01
• Series: Revista de Salud Ambiental
• Subjects: olas de calor; olas de frío; mortalidad diaria; evolución temporal; planes de prevención
• Online Access: https://ojs.diffundit.com/index.php/rsa/article/view/836

The heat wave that occurred in Europe in the summer of 2003 led health authorities to develop Prevention Plans to minimize the impacts of heat waves on citizens´ health. Spain developed, based on existing research, a High Temperature Prevention Plan, which was in force until 2015, when it was updated. This paper summarizes studies carried out in our country that led to the updating of this Plan. We also analyze some studies conducted in Spain regarding cold waves and their attributable mortality; the temporal evolution of heat impacts according to age groups; the detection of specially susceptible groups; the geographic variability of the health effects of heat waves and their applicability to the improvement of Prevention Plans; and future lines of research in the field of extreme temperatures and their impact on health.