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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Eman ZiedORCiD, Dr Gainbi ParkORCiD, Professor Clare BambraORCiD
This is the authors' accepted manuscript of a conference proceedings (inc. abstract) that has been published in its final definitive form by Royal Geographical Society with IBG, 2025.
For re-use rights please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
In July 2022, areas in England reached 40°C for the first time ever. A Level 4 Heat-Health Alert (HHA) was also issued - all regions being escalated to this since the alerting system was introduced, despite there being temperature variations. This unprecedented event impacted the country unevenly, with temperature anomalies varying between 6°C and 25°Cabove the usual summertime average. Populations were also unevenly affected; alongside individual vulnerabilities such as age and medical conditions, there are areas which suffer disproportionately from ill health, primarily in deprived areas and the North of England. Climate change is causing heat waves to become more frequent and severe, so it is important to identify which regions have an increased risk of experiencing very high temperatures, alongside existing inequalities.The aim of this study was to assess the spatial vulnerability to this heatwave, and how this interacts with areas experiencing already high levels of health inequalities. We examine the link between temperature exposure, geographic region, area level deprivation and measures of health inequalities such as life expectancy. Initial results indicate that on top of the North-South divide of health, there is an emerging East-West divide on climate impacts due to geography. Areas such as the North East and East of England, who already experience a high burden of ill-health, also experienced high temperature anomalies similar to the South East. If we find which areas are affected by intersecting axes of vulnerability, we can tailor interventions to them which take into account geography, land-use and health.
Author(s): Zied Abozied E, Park G, Bambra C
Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)
Publication status: Published
Conference Name: RGS-IBG Annual International Conference
Year of Conference: 2025
Online publication date: 29/08/2025
Acceptance date: 14/03/2025
Date deposited: 22/01/2026
Publisher: Royal Geographical Society with IBG
ePrints DOI: 10.57711/d2zd-kw31
