The Association Between High Ambient Temperature and Mortality in the Mediterranean Basin: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Purpose of Review The Mediterranean basin is highly vulnerable to climate change. This study is aimed at quantifying the risk of mortality associated with exposure to high ambient temperature in the Mediterranean basin in the general population and in vulnerable sub-populations. Recent Findings We r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current environmental health reports 2023-03, Vol.10 (1), p.61-71
Main Authors: Perry, Talila, Obolski, Uri, Peretz, Chava
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age groups
Ambient temperature
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Cardiovascular diseases
Cities
Climate Change
Climate Change and Environmental Disasters (R Parks
Environmental Health
Estimates
Health risks
Heat
High temperature
Hot Temperature
Humans
Humidity
Medicine/Public Health
Meta-analysis
Mortality
Mortality risk
Pharmacology/Toxicology
Population
Risk
Section Editor
Systematic review
Temperature
Time series
Topical Collection on Climate Change and Environmental Disasters
Urbanization
Vulnerable Populations
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Summary:Purpose of Review The Mediterranean basin is highly vulnerable to climate change. This study is aimed at quantifying the risk of mortality associated with exposure to high ambient temperature in the Mediterranean basin in the general population and in vulnerable sub-populations. Recent Findings We retrieved effect estimates from studies linking temperature and mortality in the Mediterranean basin, between 2000 and 2021. In a meta-analysis of 16 studies, we found an increased risk of all-cause mortality due to ambient heat/high temperature exposure in the Mediterranean basin, with a pooled RR of 1.035 (95%CI 1.028–1.041) per 1 °C increase in temperature above local thresholds ( I 2  = 79%). Risk was highest for respiratory mortality (RR = 1.063, 95% CI 1.052–1.074) and cardiovascular mortality (RR = 1.046, 95% CI 1.036–1.057). Summary Hot ambient temperatures increase the mortality risk across the Mediterranean basin. Further studies, especially in North African, Asian Mediterranean, and eastern European countries, are needed to bolster regional preparedness against future heat-related health burdens.
ISSN:2196-5412
2196-5412
DOI:10.1007/s40572-022-00386-0