Summer 2012 in Italy has been the second warmest since 1800. Compared to 2003, which remains the hottest

summer on record and registered extremely high temperatures throughout the country, summer 2012 heat waves were mainly in the north and central regions. This report summarizes the climatic conditions registered and gives an overview of the impact of the heat waves on mortality among the elderly during summer 2012. A comparison with 2003 was also carried out and although extreme high temperatures were recorded in 2012, the impact on health was contained, suggesting a mitigation of the impact of heat on health in response to the National Heat Warning System (HHWWS) and of the National Prevention Program, introduced nearly 10 years ago. These measures seem to have increased local population awareness, improved their response capacity thus reducing the impact on health during heat waves.

Considering climate change scenarios and the increase in frequency and intensity of heat waves predicted for the Mediterranean basin, prevention measures addressing this aspect will become a priority on the public health agenda in Italy.

Rapporto Ondate di Calore 2012 (5.43 MB) (Italian only)