In Sickness and in Heat – A Content Analysis of German Media Coverage of Chronic Diseases and Climate-Related Weather Events

This study examines how German media frame the link between chronic diseases and climate events, an essential yet understudied aspect of climate-change communication. A quantitative content analysis of N = 429 media articles (2010 to mid-2025) investigates framing patterns, evidence use, and representations of scientific ambiguity across media types. Results indicate that coverage intensity peaks during years characterized by particularly severe weather events such as heatwaves, suggesting that acute climatic episodes amplify media attention to the climate-health nexus even within this event-focused domain. Reports predominantly employ Health Severity and Consequence frames, emphasizing medical risks and vulnerability while largely neglecting adaptation, political responsibility, or action-oriented perspectives. About 70% of articles cite scientific evidence, mainly individual studies and expert opinions, yet only one-third address uncertainty, usually in connection with preliminary findings or data limits. Overall, German media depict the climate-health nexus through a narrow, risk-focused lens that informs but rarely empowers. Stronger emphasis on solutions, transparent uncertainty communication, and socio-political framing is recommended.