Annually, approximately 1400 hospital treatments are necessary due to heat-related issues.

A recent analysis of data from the German Weather Service reveals that the number of heat-related hospitalizations in Germany has been decreasing in recent years, with only 828 cases reported in 2023, significantly lower than the long-term average. This decrease may be partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, increased public awareness of the health risks of heat, or other unidentified factors.

The data, however, does not show a direct correlation between heat waves in Germany and an increase in death rates, unlike previous reports. In 2023, 37 people died from direct effects of heat and sunlight, a figure that pales in comparison to the highest recorded number of heat-related hospitalizations, which was 2600 cases in 2003. Over a thousand cases were last recorded in 2019 with around 1700 inpatient treatments.

Since the 1950s, the years with the most heat days on average in Germany are 2003, 2015, and 2018. Heat waves in the past have often led to an increase in death rates, but the data for the specific years does not show this trend consistently. The data does not provide information on the possible reasons for the decrease in heat-related hospitalizations in Germany, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or increased public awareness.

It is important to note that the data does not include information on the long-term average number of heat-related hospitalizations in Germany, nor does it indicate whether the number of heat-related hospitalizations has been decreasing in recent years consistently. Furthermore, skin cancer deaths from heat and sunlight were not included in the statistics. These deaths included heat strokes and sunburns, but not skin cancer.

The German Weather Service provided data for the number of heat days in the mentioned years. Over the past year, Germany experienced about twice as many extreme heat days compared to a scenario without climate change. This trend is strongly linked to climate change, which has caused Germany to experience more frequent and intense heat waves.

Scientific and health organizations have raised alarms about the rising health risks posed by heat waves in Germany. The increase in extreme heat days correlates with a rise in heat-related deaths and health impacts, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with pre-existing conditions, and those exposed to outdoor heat.

Thus, the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves in Germany have caused a notable rise in deaths attributed to heat and sunlight exposure over recent decades, highlighting the urgent need for improved heat-health protection measures and public awareness campaigns such as Heat Action Day 2025.

The decrease in heat-related hospitalizations in Germany might be linked to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, increased public awareness, or other unidentified elements, despite the rising number of extreme heat days due to climate change.
While the number of heat-related hospitalizations has decreased in recent years, the long-term average number remains unclear, and skin cancer deaths from heat and sunlight are not included in the statistics.
Scientific and health organizations have issued alerts about the escalating health risks posed by heat waves in Germany, as an increase in extreme heat days is associated with a rise in heat-related deaths and healthcare impacts, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Awareness campaigns like Heat Action Day 2025 are essential due to the urgent need for improved heat-health protection measures, given the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves in Germany that have led to a significant rise in deaths attributed to heat and sunlight exposure over the past few decades.
In the realm of environmental science and medical-conditions, patients with respiratory conditions, mental-health issues, and those concerned with fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and skin-care should be mindful of the impacts of heat waves on their health and wellness, taking into account the health risks related to climate change and adapt accordingly.