Extreme weather events (EWE): the impact on health in Italy.

Abstract

Background: Italy and the Mediterranean region are particularly vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events (EWEs). Changes in vulnerability are related to meteorological exposures but also to socio-demographic and economic conditions and to local adaptive capacity. Recent results from the PHASE EU project (http://www.phaseclimatehealth.eu/) and Italian studies will guide the discussion on climate change health effects and the role of public health. Results: In Italy, the fraction of heat-attributable deaths ranges between 1.4%-8.1%. Despite a reduction in heat-related effects in recent years observed in EU and Italian cities (from +36.7% pre-2003 to +13.3% post-2003 in Italy) the 2015 heat wave had a significant impact across Europe. In Italy an excess in mortality of +23% was observed in July 2015 (range: from +14% to 44%). Cold also had a higher impact in Italy and Mediterranean countries (2% increase in mortality for a 1°C decline in temperature) suggesting they are unprepared to cope with cold weather. Furthermore, the cold spell of 2012 had a strong impact on CVD and respiratory deaths among those aged 75+ (+20% and +64% respectively) in Italy. Flooding is another major threat in Italy, but health effect studies are lacking. Intense rainfall events have been associated to road traffic injuries and ER visits (increase trauma ER visits during rainfall events in Rome: +7.5% in men to +19.3% in women, 25-34 age group). Conclusions: Best practice prevention and response measures defined within the PHASE project can help develop intervention measures for these EWEs. Specific actions should be targeted to at risk areas and emerging vulnerable subgroups to each EWE (elderly, subjects with chronic diseases, outdoor workers, pregnant women, children and deprived groups). Research evidence confirms climate change as a priority on the public health agenda. Abstract part of the accepted symposia "Climate Change – Beyond the ..." (Menne B.)