Elderly far more at risk from rising heat than thought: study
Earlier research did not take into account that older people sweat less and tend to have weaker hearts.
A recent U.S. study has revealed that the health risks posed by rising temperatures to elderly individuals have been significantly underestimated. During a summer marked by extreme heat records and thousands of fatalities, researchers from Stanford University sought to quantify the impact of climate change on the well-being of older people.
Unlike previous research focused on young, healthy adults, this study utilized data from wet-bulb temperature tests conducted on individuals over 60, accounting for factors such as reduced sweating and weakened cardiovascular systems. By modeling the effects of global warming up to the year 2100, the researchers projected that with a 1.5°C increase from pre-industrial levels, 22% of people aged 60 and above would experience intolerable heat for at least a month annually worldwide.
Each additional degree of warming would expose an additional billion individuals to similarly unbearable conditions. Regions like South Asia and the Gulf, already grappling with high poverty rates and limited access to cooling facilities, are expected to face the most severe risks. The study warns that such extreme heat could lead to internal displacement and migration, presenting new policy and humanitarian challenges.
To mitigate these grim outcomes, the researchers urge immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prioritize the well-being of vulnerable older populations through enhanced access to cooling facilities and air conditioning. The current subscription allows for reading but not commenting on this story.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
