Adaptation to Heat and Social Health Inequalities according to Gender, Age and Territory: A Review of Studies Conducted in Spain (1983-2018)

The health effects of climate change exacerbate existing health and social inequalities. Inequality exposes the most vulnerable populations, making them more vulnerable to damage and limiting their ability to adapt. In order to protect the population from the consequences of climate change it is necessary to understand the factors involved in adaptation processes. An indicator for assessing the adaptability to heat of a population is the Minimum Mortality Temperature (MMT). Its evolution over time makes it possible to know whether a population is adapting or not. The aim of this review of studies is to determine the adaptation of the Spanish population along three axes of inequality- territory, age and gender-between 1983 and 2018 by studying the evolution of the MMT and comparing it to the evolution of the maximum daily temperature. The Spanish population showed in general adaptation to heat, although geographical differences were found. At the territorial level, non-urban provinces showed greater adaptation than urban provinces. With respect to gender differences, women showed greater adaptability than men. In addition, the elderly also showed adaptability. It is necessary to understand which factors influence adaptation in order to design measures for reducing the impact of high temperatures on-especially-groups affected by social inequalities in health.