Francesca de'Donato, a senior researcher at Lazio Regional Health Service, has highlighted the impact of heat on human health in various ways. Epidemiological studies have shown that the effects of heat on individuals depend on several factors, such as climate, living conditions, environment, socio-economic status, demographics, and individual characteristics. Notably, not everyone is equally vulnerable to heat-related health effects.

Factors such as age, pre-existing chronic conditions, and medication use can alter how the body thermoregulates, how heat is perceived, and how much an individual sweats, all of which can have different impacts on population health. For instance, elderly individuals, small children, and those with pre-existing conditions are more at risk of heat-related health issues.

In the EXHAUSTION-project, researchers have been studying these differences in response to heat and assessing if there is an increase in mortality or hospital admissions, and other health outcomes that can be studied.

The project seeks to understand how heat exposure affects the health of individuals living in different areas, whether urban or rural, and under various socio-economic conditions. By examining the impact of heat on different demographics and individual characteristics, researchers hope to identify ways to reduce the adverse effects of heat on human health.

Overall, this research highlights the need for effective measures to prevent and mitigate the effects of heat exposure on human health. It underscores the importance of tailored interventions that consider the diversity of factors that contribute to vulnerability to heat-related health issues.

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