Mitigating the impact of extreme temperatures: the role of public health interventions in Germany, 1888-1913

Daniel Gallardo-Albarrán
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Daniel Gallardo-Albarrán: Wageningen University

No 290, Working Papers from European Historical Economics Society (EHES)

Abstract: Adaptation strategies are considered important in mitigating the mortality effects of warm temperatures, but less is known about the role of public health interventions. I study how the provision of three health-enhancing services—sanitary infrastructures, scientific-based infant care and hospital care—influenced the temperature-mortality gradient in Germany during the period 1888-1913. I find that: (i) the mortality impact of warm temperatures was substantial; (ii) heat-related mortality (infant deaths) decreased by ca. 25 (30) percent; and (iii) greater access to piped water, infant care and hospital care account for 60 (25) percent of the mortality decline at high temperatures.

Keywords: Germany; extreme temperatures; mortality; public health; climate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 I18 I30 N33 Q54 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 77 pages
Date: 2025-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea, nep-his and nep-mac
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hes:wpaper:0290

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