Joan Ballester (Professor al Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).- Effect of the Great Recession on regional mortality trends in Europe.

Abstract: Previous studies have consistently shown the recurrent relationship between macroeconomic cycles and changes in mortality trends, so that recessions are generally associated with periods of faster life expectancy rise, and periods of economic growth with slower reductions or even increases in mortality trends. Here we analyze the link between annual per capita estimates of gross domestic product and daily atmospheric temperatures and standardized death rates for a large ensemble of European regions to describe the effect of the Great Recession on annual and seasonal changes in all-cause human mortality trends.

Bio: Joan Ballester is an Assistant Research Professor at the Climate and Health Program of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). Joan Ballester is the Principal Investigator of two European H2020 projects, Blue-Action (blue-action.eu) and PUCS (climate-fit.city), in which he is leading researcher on temperature-related mortality and climate services in European regions and cities. His main research interests include climate variability, predictability and change, as well as the interplay between climate and health impacts.

Hicham Achebak (Investigador FI, CED; Doctorand en Demografia, UAB; Investigador visitant al Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).- Trends in heat- and cold-related mortality from cardiovascular diseases in a warming climate: A countrywide study in Spain.

Abstract: Human-driven climate change has increased annual temperatures in Spain by nearly 1°C on average since 1980. However, little is known about the extent to which the association between temperature and mortality has changed for the most vulnerable population groups within this context of generalized and rapid warming. We here assess heat- and cold-related mortality trends in Spain from cardiovascular diseases by sex and age groups, and we connect them with the observed rising temperatures and changes in vulnerability.

Bio: Hicham Achebak is a predoctoral researcher at the Center for Demographic Studies (CED) and a visiting researcher at the Climate and Health Program (CLIMA) of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). His current main research focuses on the study of the impact of climate warming on temperature-related mortality, morbidity and birth outcomes in Spain.

Previ al Col·loqui, de 10:40 a 11:00h, esteu tots convidats a l’Espai del cafè.