How deadly have the heatwaves in England and Wales been?

• Over 2,700 heat-related deaths were estimated across England and Wales during recent heatwaves, significantly exceeding official figures and highlighting substantial underreporting of heat mortality.
• Current heat-related death surveillance systems appear inadequate, with deaths likely attributed to other conditions rather than captured as heat-induced, suggesting need for improved monitoring and coding practices.
• Clinicians should maintain heightened awareness of heat as a contributing or primary cause of death during elevated temperatures, particularly in vulnerable populations, to enable better case recognition and public health response.

Experts suggest more than 2,700 people may have died from heat-related causes during the heatwaves.

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