Very strong El Niño episodes, often described as “super El Niño,” are associated with large shifts in temperature-related mortality, according to a study published in Nature Medicine and reported by multiple outlets. The research estimates a net public-health impact driven by more heat-related deaths during strong events, alongside fewer cold-related deaths.
One set of figures highlighted across the coverage indicates very strong El Niño episodes are linked to over 100,000 additional heat-related deaths worldwide per year, while also being associated with about 112,681 fewer cold-related deaths annually compared with neutral conditions. Outlets also frame the findings in different ways: some emphasise potential “good news” for cold-related deaths, while others stress the creation of “new public health challenges” as warming and extreme weather pressures intensify.
Overall, the core message is consistent: very strong El Niño is tied to substantial, opposing mortality effects. The differing angles mainly reflect how outlets foreground either the cold-death reduction or the heat-death increase and the implications for preparedness under a warming climate.
