The intense heat in Italy in July and
early August drove an increase of 9% in deaths among people aged
over 65 in central and southern cities, according to the third
report of the National Operational Plan for the Prevention of
the Effects of Heatwaves produced by the health ministry and
looking at the period from July 1 to August 4.
The rise translated into over 500 additional deaths, the health
ministry said.
Mortality increased particularly in Reggio Calabria and Sicilian
cities, where the effects of extreme heat were compounded by air
pollution resulting from widespread wildfires.
Conversely, the mortality rate fell by 13% among elderly people
in cities in the north, which experienced unseasonal bad weather
with heavy rainfall and low temperatures during the same period.
The report also highlighted how the strengthening of local
health services, the implementation at local level of adaptation
measures set out in the national plan and individual behaviour
to reduce risks "are capable of protecting the population", as
shown by the limited impact of the heatwave on mortality in some
cities.
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