**3. Results**

Despite the relatively milder impacts of climate change on Northern and Eastern Europe under the more pessimistic RCP8.5 emission pathway, up to 1000 additional premature deaths due to heatwaves are projected annually by the end of the 21st century [45]. In northern Europe, the number of heatwave days are projected to increase by 2.4 times during the warmest months [33]. Also, the likelihood of forest fires could increase, and pollen seasons will be prolonged, with an increase in the number of new allergens [46,47]. Climate change could affect the spread of leishmaniosis, hantavirus, tick-borne encephalitis, dengue fever, and tularaemia in the region [48]. Among other European areas, the northern European region is projected to experience significant increases in future strong storms (intensity of high-impact wind speed and extreme cyclone frequency) [49]. An increase in the frequency of extreme weather, storms, and torrential rain may bring increased risks of physical danger. Climate change-related increases in the number of glazed frost days and prolonged periods of heatwaves threaten the elderly and chronically ill. These projected risks pose a direct challenge not only to medical care and rescue capacity, but also to social security services and informal support networks.
