From Research to the Development of an Innovative Application for Monitoring Heat-Related Mortality in Spain

Abstract

Exposure to heat poses a major threat to high-risk populations by substantially contributing to increased mortality and morbidity. Heat-related mortality has been a significant concern since the summer of 2003, when Europe experienced a heatwave, leading to an excess of more than 70,000 deaths during the summer months, with 3,166 of those occurring in Spain. Heat-health early warning systems can reduce the burden of high ambient temperatures. However, the evidence of their effectiveness is limited. Therefore, developing innovative tools for real-time monitoring and forecast of health impacts from heat becomes essential for effective public health interventions and resource allocation strategies. We developed a user-friendly and accessible tool for monitoring heat-attributable mortality in Spain during the summer season between June and August. https://ficlima.shinyapps.io/mace/