SUMMER, HEAT, SUNSHINE

In the summer of 2022, we experienced the hottest month of July in Germany since temperature measurements began in 1881. But while the barometer reading of 40° C caused some people to frown with concern, there is a general lack of awareness of the risks to health caused by heat.

A survey conducted by the BNITM (Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine) revealed that although Germans are well informed about expected heatwaves and are aware of possible protective measures, they do not use them because the heat is not perceived as a threat. However, this threat is reflected in the "excess mortality analysis" and in the fact that a lack of prevention or even ignorance of the issue is often paid for with irreversible organ damage and even death.

A team of researchers from the ISGlobal Barcelona Institute for Global Health published in the specialist publication "Nature Medicine" the number of over 61,000 heat-related deaths in Europe during the summer months of 2022. In addition to the less resistant senior citizens, chronically ill people of all ages and transplant patients are also affected.

In order to ensure that the population can be offered sufficient education on how to deal with heat, a "climate-resistant care" reimbursement figure will be introduced into the German billing system from October 1, 2023. As we may still be experiencing particularly hot days until then, we would like to recommend that you proactively ask your doctor or pharmacist about heat protection measures.