BERLIN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- One in four people in Germany has experienced health problems due to extreme heat this year, according to a new report released on Monday.
Fatigue, circulatory problems, and sleep disorders were among the problems experienced among Germans during heatwaves, according to a survey conducted on behalf of health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit.
The elderly are more vulnerable, with around a third of those over 60 being affected.
Overall, heat waves and extreme weather are a major concern for nearly two-thirds of people in Germany. Young people aged 18 to 29 are particularly anxious, with 23 percent saying they are "very worried" about these developments.
The survey indicated an urgent need for action in various sectors. Around 89 percent of respondents believe that industries requiring heavy physical labor are severely affected by heat waves. Meanwhile, 80 percent consider the care sector vulnerable, and 58 percent are concerned about medical care in hospitals.
"It is alarming how many people had health problems in the first weeks of heat," says DAK CEO Andreas Storm. "Our heat report shows that the effects of extreme temperatures are increasingly putting a strain on the health of older people, and are causing great concern for the younger generation in particular."
The DAK-Gesundheit heat report is based on an online survey of 1,006 German citizens aged 18 and over, and was conducted by the Forsa Institute. ■
