Spatial Heterogeneity in Heat-Related Mortality in the Valencian Region: Implications for Climate Adaptation Beyond Administrative Boundaries.
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
42569010
Abstract
The intensification of extreme heat events in the Mediterranean basin poses growing threats to public health, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions like the Valencian Region (eastern Spain). Despite the implementation of provincial and municipal heat prevention plans, their efficacy remains unevaluated, and most studies have focused on provincial capitals, potentially overlooking subregional variability. This study addresses these gaps by quantifying moderate and extreme heat-attributable mortality across 28 thermoclimatic areas (TAs)-a climatic subdivision of the Valencian Region- from 1975 to 2019, using a two-stage time-series analysis of high-resolution temperature and mortality data. Results reveal a distinct coastal-inland gradient, with significantly higher mortality impacts in inland TAs compared to coastal provincial capitals. Areas most impacted by extreme heat are concentrated in interior regions, while coastal capitals exhibit lower risks. These findings underscore the limitations of relying on administrative boundaries for public health surveillance and adaptation planning. The study highlights the value of climatically coherent zones, such as TAs, for improving the spatial resolution of early warning systems and tailoring heat prevention strategies. This scalable methodological framework provides critical insights for enhancing the design of heat adaptation plans not only in Spain but also in other Mediterranean and climate-sensitive regions.
Extreme heat events in the Mediterranean basin have become more intense, which poses growing threats to public health, particularly in climate‐vulnerable regions like the Valencian Region (eastern Spain). While provincial and municipal heat prevention plans are implemented, their efficacy has not been tested and most studies have focused on provincial capitals, potentially overlooking subregional variability. This study addresses these gaps by quantifying the mortality that can be attributed to moderate and extreme heat across 28 thermoclimatic areas (TAs)—a subdivision of the Valencian Region into areas of similar temperatures—from 1975 to 2019. Results show a higher mortality attributed to moderate and extreme heat in the TAs located in the interior of the VR than in the coastal provincial capitals. These findings underscore the limitations of relying on administrative boundaries for public health surveillance and adaptation planning. The study highlights the value of areas with similar temperatures for improving early warning systems and tailoring heat prevention strategies. This methodology can be applied in other regions of Spain and other Mediterranean and climate‐sensitive regions.
Extreme heat events in the Mediterranean basin have become more intense, which poses growing threats to public health, particularly in climate‐vulnerable regions like the Valencian Region (eastern Spain). While provincial and municipal heat prevention plans are implemented, their efficacy has not been tested and most studies have focused on provincial capitals, potentially overlooking subregional variability. This study addresses these gaps by quantifying the mortality that can be attributed to moderate and extreme heat across 28 thermoclimatic areas (TAs)—a subdivision of the Valencian Region into areas of similar temperatures—from 1975 to 2019. Results show a higher mortality attributed to moderate and extreme heat in the TAs located in the interior of the VR than in the coastal provincial capitals. These findings underscore the limitations of relying on administrative boundaries for public health surveillance and adaptation planning. The study highlights the value of areas with similar temperatures for improving early warning systems and tailoring heat prevention strategies. This methodology can be applied in other regions of Spain and other Mediterranean and climate‐sensitive regions.
Date Issued
2026-08
Publication Type
Article
Subjects
heat‐related mortality
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Paredes-Fortuny, Laura | |
Iñiguez, Carmen | |
Khodayar, Samira |
Journal
GeoHealth
Publisher
Wiley
ISSN
2471-1403
Access(Rights)
open.access