Study Highlights Disproportionate Heat-Related Death Risk for Ethnic Minorities and Poorest in England

Study Highlights Disproportionate Heat-Related Death Risk for Ethnic Minorities and Poorest in England
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A significant study published in BMJ Public Health reveals that ethnic minorities and individuals residing in England’s most deprived areas face a substantially higher risk of heat-related deaths, The Guardian reported. This research marks the first comprehensive assessment of how socio-environmental factors contribute to fatalities during periods of extreme heat.

Analyzing over 430,000 patient records from 2016 to 2020, the study utilized a Relative Effect Modification (REM) method to compare risk levels across different demographic groups. The findings are stark: Black individuals faced a 27% higher risk of heat-related death compared to their white counterparts (REM index of 1.27), while Asian individuals experienced a 10% higher risk (REM index of 1.1). The study also underscored a heightened risk for people in England’s two most deprived socio-economic groups.

Researchers attribute these disparities to a confluence of factors, including substandard housing conditions, limited access to cooling resources, pre-existing health vulnerabilities, and broader social and economic determinants. Experts, including Dr. Ross Thompson from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), emphasized that these findings critically highlight how climate change exacerbates existing health inequalities. This understanding will enable the healthcare sector to better prioritize and protect vulnerable patients during future heat events. Previous data from UCL indicated that nearly 600 people were projected to die in a recent June heatwave in England, and over 10,000 premature deaths occurred during summer heatwaves between 2020 and 2024. Projections warn that annual heat-related deaths could surge to 30,000 by the 2070s, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions.