A new report released Tuesday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveals that heat-related illnesses, including heatstroke and sunstroke, have resulted in an average of roughly 1,400 hospitalizations annually between 2003 and 2023.
While the number of hospitalizations directly attributed to heat conditions in 2023, totaling approximately 800 cases, was below the long-term average, a downward trend has been observed in recent years. This decline is partially attributed to shifts in healthcare utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a general reduction in hospital admissions. Increased public awareness regarding the health risks associated with extreme heat may also be contributing to the decrease.
Historically, years marked by numerous “heat days” – those experiencing temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher – have been associated with a greater incidence of heat-related hospitalizations. The years 2003, 2015 and 2018 recorded the highest average number of heat days since the 1950s. The peak number of heat-related hospitalizations occurred in 2003, with 2,600 cases linked to an average of 19.0 heat days, followed by approximately 2,300 cases in 2015 with 17.6 heat days. In 2018, around 1,600 hospitalizations were attributed to heat, alongside 20.4 heat days.
Heat-related illnesses are infrequently listed as the primary cause of death in official mortality statistics, averaging 22 deaths per year between 2003 and 2023. The most recent data shows 37 fatalities in 2023 resulting from heat and sun-related harm, encompassing conditions like heatstroke and sunstroke, but not including skin cancer. Importantly, periods of extreme heat are linked to a general increase in mortality rates, often due to the combined effect of high temperatures and pre-existing medical conditions, significantly elevating the risk of death.