DAK Heat Report: One in Three People in Germany Complain of Health Problems Due to Heat

Physical Complaints in Detail

The most common complaints included fatigue and exhaustion (71 percent) as well as sleep problems (68 percent). In addition, more than half of the people with health complaints each stated that they "unter Kreislaufbeschwerden (64 Prozent) und Kopfschmerzen (52 Prozent) gelitten zu haben." Dizziness (32 percent) and loss of appetite (27 percent) also occurred, and some of those affected (7 percent) also complained of confusion.

Despite the considerable complaints, only a small proportion of those affected sought medical help. Only 13 percent agreed with a corresponding statement – significantly fewer than the number who had complaints according to their own statements.

Assessments on Schools, Nursing Care, and the Workplace

Beyond their own health, the respondents also see large parts of public life restricted by heat. 58 percent of respondents see schools and kindergartens as severely restricted by heat. In nursing care, the level of concern is assessed as even higher – "Auch in der Pflege wird die Betroffenheit als sehr hoch angesehen (86 Prozent)."

The majority of respondents see the greatest impact primarily on those who perform heavy physical work, for example in the trades, construction, and production (89 percent). According to the respondents' assessment, these occupational groups are particularly exposed to the risks of high temperatures.

Research on Psychological Effects

A newly published cross-national meta-study in the specialist journal "Nature Health" examines which psychological effects a heat wave can have. This brings longer-term effects on mental health into the focus of research, in addition to the immediate physical complaints.

DAK-Gesundheit sees the results as a clear signal: the share of people suffering from the effects of heat is rising compared to previous years. The health insurance company had commissioned the survey in order to gain a more precise picture of the health burden among the population.

Overall, the heat report makes clear that high temperatures in Germany are no longer just a peripheral summer issue, but have noticeable health consequences for a significant part of the population – with clear differences between genders, age groups, and occupational fields.