Filenews 10 November 2025 - by Marilena Panayi
On the hottest days of the year, admissions to state hospitals for heart problems increase by about 0.17%, while admissions for respiratory diseases by about 0.23%.
At the same time, from 2004 to 2021, Cyprus recorded 45 deaths due to heatstroke, with the number increasing and exceeding 50 by the end of this summer. Air pollution and dust from the Sahara worsen respiratory diseases, while fires have a psychological impact on citizens.
Prolonged drought and low water supplies, combined with economic losses from extreme events, make Cyprus particularly vulnerable to climate change and citizens susceptible to related diseases and syndromes.
In the past few days, the World Health Organization has released a report by the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change (2025), which finds that 12 of the 20 key indicators that track health threats related to climate change worldwide have reached record levels, showing that climate inaction costs lives, burdens health systems and undermines economies.
At the international level and according to the data released by the WHO and based on the findings of the international Lancet Countdown report of 2025, among others, the following are observed:
>> Increase in heat-related deaths: The heat-related mortality rate has increased by 23% since the 1990s, pushing the total number of heat-related deaths to an average of 546,000 deaths per year.
>> Impacts from wildfires and droughts: Droughts and heatwaves were associated with an additional 124 million people experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023.
>> Economic Pressure: Exposure to heat caused a loss of 640 billion working hours in 2024, with productivity losses equivalent to US$1.09 trillion. The cost of heat-related deaths among the elderly reached US$261 billion.
There is an expansion of the areas of the planet in which reduced water reserves are observed, with Cyprus being included in the list of these areas, (Eastern Mediterranean) air pollution, with all that this implies for health and rising sea levels, with the data for Cyprus also causing particular interest.
In the "Sea-Level Rise – Population Exposure" index (of the report), Cyprus is mentioned with a value of 0.0026, i.e. about 0.26% of the population lives in areas that are considered directly vulnerable to sea level rise. This practically means that one in 400 inhabitants lives in coastal zones that, in the coming decades, are at risk of erosion and saltwater in groundwater.
The data for Cyprus based on studies and official data
The data included in the WHO report concerning the Eastern Mediterranean in general, including Cyprus, are incomplete due to their lack of timely registration by the affected states. However, official data from the competent national and European authorities demonstrate the problem:
>> Forest fires: From 2017 to 2025, fires have burned a total area corresponding to the route from Nicosia to Paphos and a little further (191 km). The insecurity caused by a fire and the loss of housing in relation to the psychological pressure on the people affected increases the rates of mental disorders and other syndromes.
>> Air pollution: According to the latest data from the European Environment Agency (EEA, 2024), particularly in urban areas with increased vehicle traffic and residential heating, concentrations of particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) and ozone (O₃) are increasing. The EEA warns that these pollutants are associated with respiratory and cardiovascular problems, as well as an increased risk of premature death.
>> Heat-related deaths and hospitalizations: According to a study published in 2024 in the scientific journal "Environmental Research: Health", very hot days in Cyprus are associated with an increase in hospital admissions. On these days, there are about 0.17% more admissions for heart problems and 0.23% more for respiratory diseases compared to the usual days.
At the same time, according to the statistics of the Ministry of Health, from 2004 to 2021 45 deaths due to heat stroke were recorded, with the number having exceeded 50 by the end of this summer. The number of people who required hospitalization due to symptoms of heat stroke is much higher and the number of people who came to the A&E for treatment with symptoms of heat exhaustion is more than double. At the same time, during spring and summer, dust from the Sahara sharply raises prices and results in the development or worsening of respiratory problems.
>> Impact on the economy: In addition to the overconsumption of electricity in order to meet the air conditioning/heating needs of citizens and in addition to the problems that Cyprus is now facing with electricity adequacy, especially during the summer months, the effects on the economy extend to other sectors. Suffice it to say that in the years 2024 and 2025 alone, the Department of Labur Inspection issued more than 25 notices for work stoppage due to extreme temperatures or for work stoppage and/or taking measures due to dust in the atmosphere.
In addition, the European Environment Agency (EEA) estimates that from 1980 to 2023, Cyprus has suffered economic losses of approximately €441 million from extreme weather and climate events. This equates to more than €10 million in losses each year, mainly from damage to agriculture, infrastructure, homes and businesses.
>> Water and Drought: Cyprus is one of the most arid regions in Europe and is now facing chronic water shortages. According to data from the European Environment Agency, the country has a water pressure index (WEI+) of about 71%, a percentage that is considered extremely high, the UN characterizes anything above 40% as "severe water scarcity".
The WHO's warning
"The climate crisis is a health crisis. Every fraction of a degree of warming costs lives and livelihoods," said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, assistant director-general for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Care at the World Health Organization. "This report, prepared with the WHO as a strategic partner, makes it clear that climate inaction is killing people now in all countries. However, climate action is also the greatest health opportunity of our time. Cleaner air, healthier diets and resilient health systems can save millions of lives now and protect current and future generations."
