The summer of 2024 in Greece, as in other Southern European countries, is characterized by prolonged ones heat waves caused by climate change. High temperatures have serious effects on people’s health and productivitywith the consequences being particularly felt by vulnerable groups and outdoor workers.

As reported in APE-MPE Dr. Andreas Flouris, Professor of Physiology at the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of the University of Thessaly, “exposure to high temperatures can cause a variety of negative health effects, including hyperthermia, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration. The heat we have been experiencing in the last two months highlights the need for immediate health protection actions. The consequences of high temperatures are serious and require a coordinated effort from the state and many agencies.”

Continuing, Dr. Fluris explains that “Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. Research has shown that heat can seriously affect the health of pregnant women and fetuses. Maternal heat exposure increases the risk of many pregnancy complications, including congenital anomalies, stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, and premature rupture of membranes. However, it remains unknown how heat exposure causes these adverse effects. We are currently carrying out studies to study the mechanisms by which heat affects the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus. If we understand these mechanisms, we can find solutions to reduce the risk of many pregnancy complications.”

The studies by Dr. Andreas Flouris and his colleagues highlight the importance of protecting pregnant women from extreme temperatures, highlighting the need for appropriate prevention and intervention measures. Understanding the mechanisms by which heat affects health may lead to the development of new strategies to protect these vulnerable groups.

Every summer, Greece faces incidents of tourist deaths due to heatstroke, usually while hiking. As stated by Dr. Fluris, “This year, these incidents are much more. A prime example is the tragic death of BBC journalist Michael Mosley, who died of heatstroke during a hike in Symi. Mosley was found near a beach bar, and if someone had seen him and moved him to a cool place and given him water, he might have been saved. Such incidents highlight the importance of making the right decisions when we are in hot weather. It is critical to be well aware of the risks of physical activity in high temperatures and to avoid being alone. Self-protection measures include avoiding heat and sun exposure, staying adequately hydrated, wearing appropriate light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, and eating a light diet that includes fruits and vegetables.”

Continuing, Dr. Flouris states that “The state, local authorities and tourism businesses must strengthen efforts to inform and protect tourists from extreme heat. This can be achieved through awareness campaigns, first aid provision and water availability in tourist areas, thus contributing to the reduction of heatstroke incidents and the safety of those visiting our country.”

The effects of heat on productivity are equally important. Outdoor workers, such as deliverymen, face serious health risks. Dr. Fluris states that “heat can cause dizziness, hyperthermia, and even heatstroke, while negatively impacting workers’ ability to perform their work effectively. Delivery drivers, for example, often report feeling like hot air is constantly blowing at them, leaving them with impaired reflexes and a risk of accidents.”

The economic toll from lost productivity due to heat is also significant. As mentioned by Dr. Flouris, “we used to think that these effects appear in quite high heat, i.e. only when the ambient temperature exceeds 27 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the idea was entrenched that the problems concern workers in a few countries or only in certain industries such as agriculture and construction.

Data from our studies over the past decade have shown that problems with workers’ health and productivity begin to appear at 15 degrees Celsius. For example, we found that for every degree Celsius the temperature rises above 15 degrees, a worker’s productivity drops by about 2%. This finding has played an important role in changing the perception that the countries of central and northern Europe have.

It means that the problems are much more widespread than we thought, and that countries that were previously thought not to be greatly affected by climate change are actually experiencing sharp declines in the productivity of their workers. According to our studies, Greece loses annually 2.2 billion euros due to the reduction in productivity caused by workers’ exposure to heat. Implementing preventive measures can reduce economic losses and improve working conditions, offering long-term benefits for both workers and the economy.”