Greece: Heatwave's impact on health and productivity

Prolonged heat, as a consequence of climate change, can cause various negative consequences. Dr. Andreas Floris, Professor of Physiology at the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Thessaly, explains them.

Vulnerable groups and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable

This summer's high temperatures are having a major impact on people's health and productivity. The effects of the heat are particularly felt by vulnerable groups and people working outdoors. Andreas Floris says:

“Exposure to high temperatures can cause a variety of adverse health effects, including hyperthermia, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration. The heat we have been experiencing for the past two months highlights the need for immediate action to protect health. The effects of high temperatures are severe and require coordinated national and multi-agency efforts.”

He warns about the consequences of heat exposure on expectant mothers, quotes newsbeast.gr:

“Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. Research has shown that heat can have serious impacts on the health of women and their fetuses. Exposure to maternal heat increases the risk of many pregnancy complications, including congenital anomalies, stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, and premature rupture of membranes. However, how heat exposure causes these adverse effects remains unknown. We are currently conducting research to understand the mechanisms by which heat affects the health of the pregnant woman and her fetus. Understanding these mechanisms may help us find solutions to reduce the risk of many pregnancy complications.”

The research by Dr. Floris and his colleagues highlights the importance of protecting pregnant women from extreme temperatures and the need for appropriate prevention and intervention measures. Understanding the mechanisms by which heat affects health may lead to new strategies to protect these vulnerable groups.

Death from heat stroke

Every summer in Greece there are cases of tourists dying from heat stroke, mostly while hiking. Dr. Floris reports:

“There have been many more incidents like this this year. A prime example is the tragic death of BBC journalist Michael Mosley, who died of heatstroke while hiking in Symi. Mosley was found near a beach bar and if someone had seen him, moved him to a cooler place and given him water, he could have been saved. Incidents like these highlight the importance of making good decisions in hot weather. It is vital to be aware of the risks of physical activity in hot temperatures and to avoid being alone. Self-protection measures include avoiding exposure to heat and sun, staying well hydrated, wearing appropriate light and loose clothing and eating a light diet including fruit and vegetables.”

Dr Floris calls on the government to take effective action:

“The state, local authorities and tourism businesses must step up efforts to inform and protect tourists from extreme heat. This can be achieved through information campaigns, first aid and the availability of water in tourist areas, which will help reduce the incidence of heat stroke and ensure the safety of those visiting our country.”

Performance

The impact of heat on productivity is also important. Outdoor workers, such as couriers, face serious health risks. Dr. Fluris says:

“Heat can cause dizziness, hyperthermia and even heat stroke, negatively impacting workers' ability to perform their jobs effectively. Delivery drivers, for example, often report feeling as if hot air is constantly blowing on them, which impairs their reflexes and increases the risk of accidents.”

Economic losses

The financial impact of lost productivity due to heat is also significant. Dr. Floris notes:

“We used to think that these effects only occurred at high enough temperatures, i.e. only when the ambient temperature exceeded 27°C. So the idea took hold that the problems affected workers in a few countries or only in certain industries, such as agriculture and construction. Our research data over the past decade has shown that problems with worker health and productivity begin to appear at 15°C.

We found that for every degree Celsius increase in temperature above 15°C, worker productivity falls by about 2%. This finding has played a major role in changing the thinking of countries in Central and Northern Europe. It means that the problems are much more widespread than we thought, and countries previously thought to be unaffected by climate change are actually experiencing a sharp decline in the productivity of their workers.

According to our research, Greece loses €2.2 billion annually due to decreased productivity caused by workers’ exposure to heat. Implementing preventive measures can reduce economic losses and improve working conditions, offering long-term benefits to both workers and the economy.”

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