Recent heat claims 500 extra lives

During the recent period of high temperatures, which ran almost uninterruptedly from 23 June to Monday 12 July, an estimated 500 extra lives were lost above the average for this time of year. Temperatures averaged approximately 28 degrees centigrade, i.e. more than 6 degrees above the level normal for this period.

Earlier studies conducted by Statistics Netherlands <<3172k1-2>> show that high temperatures have an upward effect on mortality. For each degree the average temperature is above the long-term average, more than 30 extra lives a week are lost.

Weekly mortality and average maximum temperature, 2010

Joop Garssen and Carel Harmsen