What is it about?
This study examines how temperature and atmospheric moisture together affect the risk of death in Cyprus, in the Eastern Mediterranean. While high temperatures are known to impact health, we show that the amount of moisture in the air—measured using water vapour pressure—can significantly modify these effects. Using data from 2004–2019, we found that certain combinations of heat and moisture increase mortality risk, particularly in summer and coastal areas. Our findings highlight the importance of considering both temperature and atmospheric moisture in public health planning and climate adaptation.
Featured Image
Photo by Mateusz Klein on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Climate change is increasing both heat and atmospheric moisture in the Eastern Mediterranean, intensifying health risks. Most current warning systems focus mainly on temperature or use relative humidity, which may not accurately reflect moisture levels. Our study shows that water vapour pressure better captures how humidity amplifies heat-related mortality. Accounting for this can improve early warning systems, better protect vulnerable populations, and support more effective climate adaptation policies.
Perspectives
My research focuses on how climate-related factors affect human health, particularly in regions vulnerable to extreme heat. In this study, I was interested in better understanding how atmospheric moisture interacts with temperature to influence mortality. By using water vapour pressure instead of more commonly used measures, we aimed to provide a more accurate representation of heat stress. I hope this work contributes to improving how environmental risks are assessed and supports more informed public health decisions in a changing climate.
Anna Tzyrkalli
The Cyprus Institute
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: On the compound effect of humidity and temperature on mortality in the Eastern Mediterranean, PLOS Climate, April 2026, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000821.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
