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

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  • Daniel Gallardo-Albarrán

    (Wageningen University)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Gallardo-Albarrán, 2025. "Mitigating the impact of extreme temperatures: the role of public health interventions in Germany, 1888-1913," Working Papers 0290, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    • Handle: RePEc:hes:wpaper:0290
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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