A Madrid study reveals that people from groups with below-average incomes are more likely to die in heat waves, the Guardian reports.
Scorching temperatures across Europe have killed tens of thousands of people in recent years. But as the death toll rises, researchers are finding that one group is disproportionately bearing the brunt of the extreme heat: those living in poverty.
“When it comes to heat and vulnerability, the key factor is income level,” said Julio Diaz Jimenez, a professor at the Carlos III Health Institute.
People on lower incomes often struggle to access quality housing, with many living in overcrowded, poorly ventilated homes that offer little respite from the heat.
Some struggle to access adequate healthcare, making them more likely to suffer from conditions that could be exacerbated by extreme heat, while others work in sectors such as agriculture and construction where they are regularly exposed to high temperatures. Even when air conditioning is available, people with lower incomes are less likely to be able to afford to use it.
Earlier this year, Save the Children warned that one in three children in Spain is unable to keep cool at home. It said it could have a “very harmful” impact on the mental and physical health of more than two million children.
Photo: illustration
