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Heat alarm: health risks and measures for our region
Federal Health Minister Lauterbach presents his heat protection plan. What does this mean for health protection in communities?
Heat alarm: health risks and measures for our region
Extreme heat in Germany is no longer just a temporary seasonal challenge, but a serious health risk. According to the Robert Koch Institute, there were around 3,200 heat-related deaths in the Federal Republic in 2023. Against this background, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) announced the “Heat Protection Plan for Health” in July 2023 in order to take effective measures to protect the population.
Need for action in the healthcare system
The implementation of the heat protection plan is not only the responsibility of the ministry, but also requires the commitment of the states and municipalities. What is particularly worrying is that many communities have not yet taken action. The Correctiv research network recently showed that many municipalities are inadequately responding to the challenges of heat. Cameroon is an example, as it has had a comprehensive heat action plan in place since 2022.
The role of hospitals
In clinics and care facilities, the heat requires special precautionary measures. For these facilities, the Ministry of Health has introduced recommendations to improve heat protection measures. Rainer Kram, head of the disaster control department at the Düsseldorf University Hospital, emphasizes the urgency of these measures: “In hospital alarm planning, extreme heat counts as a catastrophe,” he explains.
Existing gaps and challenges
Despite the recommendations made, Henriette Neumeyer from the German Hospital Association sees major differences in implementation. While a third of hospitals have already implemented heat protection plans, another third are still in the early stages. Clear leadership and financial support from management are crucial for success.
Necessary financial resources
The need for investment is immense, particularly in relation to structural changes required to improve heat protection. Neumeyer criticizes the current system in which hospitals have to pay in advance without the certainty of later reimbursement. This affects around 75 percent of hospital buildings that do not meet modern heat protection standards.
Legal obligation required
The demand for legal obligations to introduce and improve heat protection concepts is becoming increasingly louder. Jana Luntz, member of the executive committee of the German Nursing Council, argues that the protection of the population cannot be left to the institutions alone, but must be regulated in a binding manner.
The financial dimension of climate adaptation
For North Rhine-Westphalia, the government estimates the investment requirement for climate-resilient hospitals to be around 7.1 billion euros by 2030. Extrapolated to the whole of Germany, the sum could rise into the double-digit billion range. To meet these challenges, we need a transformation fund that covers construction investments and increasing operating costs due to climate change.
Overall, it is clear that healthcare in Germany urgently needs more attention and resources for heat protection. Citizens and health facilities must act together to successfully cope with constantly changing climatic conditions and to ensure the long-term health of the population.