title: [Extreme heat is a growing problem for global public health].
abstract: High temperatures have a direct impact on body functions. Heat waves increase mortality risks due to myocardial infarction, stroke, and pulmonary disease. Cold temperatures also increase mortality, but with a longer latency. A recent study found only a small difference between the minimal mortality temperature (MMT) and the temperatures at which mortality rose steeply, although the majority of deaths occurred at temperatures below MMT. Global climate change with increasing temperatures seriously threatens health, work capacity, and generation of household incomes, particularly among poor people in hot countries. In Sweden, heat waves increase mortality in vulnerable groups of elderly people and patients with chronic heart and lung diseases, as well as those performing intensive physical work in hot environments. The medical profession can play an important role not only in prevention of climate change, but also in adaptation to climate change with the goal of minimizing health risks.
authors.affiliation: Institutionen för medicin - Avdelningen för molekylär och klinisk medicin Göteborg, Sweden Institutionen för medicin - Avdelningen för molekylär och klinisk medicin Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fagerberg
authors.affiliation: Retired - Mapua, New Zealand Institute for Global Health - University College London London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Tord
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kjellström
authors.affiliation: Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper, socialmedicin och global hälsa - Lunds universitet Lund, Sweden Institutionen för globala politiska studier - Malmö Högskola Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vilhelmsson
authors.affiliation: Arbets- och Miljömedicin - Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset och Göteborgs universitet Göteborg, Sweden Arbets- och Miljömedicin - Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset och Göteborgs universitet Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barregård
mesh_terms: D057231:Climate Change / Q000401:mortality; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D055874:Extreme Heat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014943:Global Health; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009026:Mortality; D010819:Physician's Role; D011634:Public Health; D012306:Risk