300 heat-related deaths in Barcelona last year, health report shows

Last year saw around 300 heat-related deaths in Barcelona, with some 50 of these occurring during the days of most intense heat, according to estimates of the Barcelona Health Report 2023.

Maximum temperatures exceeded the threshold of intense heat (34 degrees) on three days in the city.

Of these deaths, 230 were women and 70 men, while the majority, around 220, were aged 75 and over.

The report includes an analysis of the last 40 years, which shows an increase in life expectancy of 6.6 years for women and 7.7 years for men, up to averages of 86.9 and 81.3 respectively.

The Barcelona Health Report 2023 shows an overall improvement in most health indicators but warns of worsening mental health, potentially dangerous alcohol consumption, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Heat-related deaths

This is the first time that the report analyzes heat-related deaths in the city.

The report shows that the years 2018 and 2022 had the highest number of days with temperatures above the threshold of intense heat, with five each year.

More deaths were seen in 2017, 2018, and 2022, with around 470, 420, and 530 deaths, respectively. Of these, about 50, 100, and 80 occurred during days of intense heat.

The risk of mortality from heat increased by more than 51% compared to a day with a comfortable temperature of 25 degrees.

Improvement in life expectancy

The improvement in life expectancy comes at the same time as a 49% reduction in premature mortality in women and 51% in men.

The Health Councillor of the Barcelona City Council, Marta Villanueva, acknowledged that even though health indicators have improved generally over the past four decades, there are marked differences by neighborhood, as health indicators are worse in more disadvantaged areas.

Major public health problems of 40 years ago, such as AIDS or tuberculosis, have been significantly reduced.

Other improvements noted by the study are the increase in physical activity and the reduction in smoking.

Worse mental health and more STIs

On the other hand, an increase in potentially dangerous alcohol consumption has been observed in the period 2006-2021. This problem has become more frequent among young people and accentuated after the pandemic.

The Public Health Agency also warns about the worsening of mental health, especially in the case of women and young people.

In 2023, among others, there were 2,037 episodes of suicidal behavior recorded in people in Barcelona, ​​1,343 of which were women. The highest rates occurred between the ages of 18 and 24.

Related to mental health, the Barcelona Public Health Agency pointed to loneliness being one of the challenges for the future.

According to data from 2021, almost 10% of the population of Barcelona over the age of 15 declares that they often feel lonely, especially women and younger people, although there is also an increase from the age of 75. In addition, this feeling of loneliness is more frequent among the most socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.

Additionally, the agency warned that in 2023, sexually transmitted infections increased among men last year, especially gonorrhea and Chlamydia.