One in three people in Germany report heat-related health problems

Germany's increasingly hot summers are taking a growing toll on people's health, according to research commissioned by health insurer DAK-Gesundheit.

The study was based on a representative survey of 1,519 adults carried out by the Forsa Institute between June 22nd and July 1st this year. Notably this period overlapped with a severe heatwave in Europe, which saw in Germany.

Experts are also warning that prolonged periods of extreme heat could have significant effects on mental health.

The findings add to growing concerns about the impact of high temperatures on daily life, healthcare services and vulnerable groups across the country.

What exactly did the survey find?

The survey found that nearly one in three people in Germany has experienced health problems linked to high temperatures, a higher proportion than recorded in previous editions of the study.

Among those affected, the most common complaints were fatigue and exhaustion, reported by 71 percent of respondents, followed by sleep problems at 68 percent.

Circulatory issues were reported by 64 percent of those suffering heat-related symptoms, while more than half said they experienced headaches. Dizziness, loss of appetite and confusion were also cited.

Women appear to be disproportionately affected. Four in ten women surveyed said they had suffered health problems during hot weather, compared with just over one in five men.

People aged between 30 and 44 and those living in larger cities were also more likely to report difficulties, reflecting the extra heat often experienced in urban areas.

Despite the prevalence of symptoms, relatively few people seek professional medical help. Only five percent of respondents said they had consulted a doctor because of heat-related health issues, although 13 percent felt they probably should have done so.

Mental health

The survey comes as researchers continue to investigate the wider effects of extreme temperatures. A recently published international meta-study in the journal Nature Health found that hospital admissions for mental and behavioural disorders increase following heatwaves.

Researchers suggest that higher levels of stress hormones released during periods of extreme heat may contribute to anxiety, irritability and cognitive difficulties.

The study also found that conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and dementia were observed more frequently in the days following a heatwave, potentially linked to disrupted sleep and prolonged psychological stress.

Wider concerns

Public concern about rising temperatures is also increasing. Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed said they were very or extremely worried about the effects of heat, while three-quarters considered current heat-protection measures inadequate.

Respondents identified people working in physically demanding jobs, including construction, manufacturing and skilled trades, as being among the hardest hit. Care workers were also viewed as particularly vulnerable.

More than half said schools and childcare facilities are significantly affected during periods of high temperatures.

The survey is the latest indication that extreme heat is becoming more than just a seasonal inconvenience in Germany, increasingly posing a challenge for public health and everyday life.

Health authorities advise residents to avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, keep their homes as cool as possible, stay hydrated and pay particular attention to vulnerable people, including older adults, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses.

With reporting by DPA.