Alina Vandenbergh

Dr. Alina Vandenbergh is a Research Fellow at the Network Aging Research (NAR Kolleg) at Heidelberg University. She completed her medical studies at Heidelberg University and earned her PhD researching the effects of climate change on health, with a specific focus on heat wave impacts on elderly populations.

Her educational background includes:

• Medical studies at Heidelberg University (2008-2012)
• PhD research at the Institute of Public Health under Prof. Rainer Sauerborn

Dr. Vandenbergh's research focuses on the intersection of climate change and public health, particularly examining how heat waves affect vulnerable elderly populations. Her work has identified that elderly individuals face increased mortality risks during heat waves due to factors including chronic cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, limited mobility, and physiological changes associated with aging that affect thermoregulation. During the 2003 heat wave, approximately 1,100 additional deaths occurred in Baden-Württemberg, with mortality rates for 75-year-olds being 15-20% higher during severe heat stress.

Her research has established four key areas where family physicians can contribute to heat wave prevention:

• Practice process adjustments (scheduling appointments during cooler hours, providing water)
• Medication adjustments for patients during heat waves
• Patient and caregiver education about heat risks
• Coordination of contact measures for at-risk individuals living alone

Dr. Vandenbergh has also contributed to understanding how climate change affects health beyond heat waves, noting its influence on allergies (shorter allergy-free periods, potential introduction of new allergens like ragweed), infectious diseases (ticks becoming active earlier and spreading to new regions), and other health concerns. Her work emphasizes practical, community-based approaches to protecting vulnerable populations from climate-related health risks.