The report Extreme heat, health at risk, prepared by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, warns that each additional degree of temperature increases heat-related mortality by 35%. This phenomenon, far from being transient, is already conditioning the planning of healthcare resources and service quality in hospitals.
Data reveals an increase of up to 42.8% in medical emergencies during high-temperature episodes. The study also highlights a deep inequality gap, where income level and place of residence determine the risk of suffering serious complications, affecting especially the elderly and vulnerable groups.
Climate projections indicate that the country could face up to eight annual heatwaves by 2050. Added to this scenario is the increase in tropical nights, which prevent the physiological recovery necessary for the human body after intense heat days.
