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Rachel V Thomas

Over 3°C Warming Can Put Over-60s at Risk of Months of ‘Intolerable’ Heat: Why It’s Dangerous

Even as global temperatures continue to climb, increased exposure to extreme heat may be more dangerous for people aged 60 and over than previously thought, according to a new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health.

The global study found that older adults may face serious health risks as their bodies struggle to keep up with extreme heat, a state physiologists call “uncompensable <span>heat stress</span>.” This occurs when sweating and other biological cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed and core body temperature continues to rise.

“The human body can tolerate only a limited range of ambient heat,” said lead author Qinqin Kong from Stanford Health Policy (SHP). 

“Understanding where, when, and to what extent these limits are exceeded is critical for informing <span>climate</span> prevention policies,” Kong said.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ac-becomes-must-have-for-offices-as-london-faces-fifth-heatwave-heres-why-it-still-raises-dehydration-risk-article-155709494" data-type="tilCustomLink">AC Becomes ‘Must-Have’ For Offices As London Faces Fifth Heatwave; Here’s Why It Still Raises Dehydration Risk</a>

The study accounts for age-related differences in heat tolerance on a global scale. Researchers drew on previously published laboratory experiments that measured heat tolerance across three age groups:

<ul><li>Younger adults: 15–39 years</li><li>Middle-aged adults: 40–59 years</li><li>Older adults: 60 years and over</li></ul>

The researchers then mapped where heat would become dangerous for each group and how many people would be affected.

They used a high-resolution heat stress metric across scenarios ranging from 1°C to 4°C of <span>global warming</span> above pre-industrial levels, in 0.5°C increments, combined with population projections.

Based on at least 180 hours of dangerous heat annually, assuming roughly six hours of such heat per day:

<ul><li>At 1.5°C warming: 22% of the world's older adults — about 290 million people — could face unsafe heat for at least one month each year.</li><li>At 3°C or higher warming, older adults could face dangerous heat day and night for three months straight.</li><li>A similar level of risk is not projected until 4°C warming, when about 17% (490 million people) could be affected.</li></ul><h2>Which Countries Will Be Most Affected?</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uk-france-brace-for-another-heatwave-how-hot-weather-can-affect-medicines-article-155193803" data-type="tilCustomLink">UK, France Brace for Another Heatwave: How Hot Weather Can Affect Medicines</a>

According to the study, South Asia and the Persian Gulf regions are projected to be among the most exposed.

At that level of warming, just four countries—India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh—would account for 1.5 billion people, or 73% of the total population affected worldwide, across all age groups.

The researchers warned that the greatest challenge will fall on countries that combine high heat exposure with high poverty rates and limited access to cooling, including:

<ul><li>India</li><li>Pakistan</li><li>Bangladesh</li><li>Myanmar</li><li>Niger</li></ul>

<h2>Why Are Older Adults at Higher Risk?</h2>

Each additional degree of warming exposes roughly 1 billion more people to at least 180 hours of uncompensable heat a year, with older adults bearing a disproportionate share of the risk.

When researchers accounted for the reduced heat tolerance associated with aging, the number of people facing repeated, uncompensable heat exposure was two to eight times higher than earlier estimates that used young-adult thresholds for everyone.

This is particularly concerning because extreme heat is already one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths worldwide. Heat-related mortality may also become the largest contributor to climate-related costs in a warming world.

<h2>Why Prolonged Heat Can Be Dangerous?</h2>

The researchers noted that sustained exposure beyond the body's heat tolerance limits can lead to dangerous or even fatal hyperthermia and can worsen pre-existing chronic illnesses, particularly those affecting the:

<ul><li>Cardiovascular system</li><li>Respiratory system</li><li>Renal system</li></ul>

These findings underscore the urgent need for age-specific adaptation strategies alongside ambitious climate change-mitigation efforts to protect clinically vulnerable populations from escalating heat-related hazards.

The study calls on governments to develop heat emergency plans and improve access to cooling and heat-warning systems.

The team also stress that cutting emissions remains essential to reduce older people's risk of prolonged, round-the-clock heat exposure and protect future generations from widespread heat danger.

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Even as global temperatures continue to climb, increased exposure to extreme heat may be more dangerous for people aged 60 and over than previously thought, according to a new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health. The global study found that older adults may face serious health risks as their bodies struggle to keep up with extreme heat, a state physiologists call “uncompensable heat stress.” This occurs when sweating and other biological cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed and core body temperature continues to rise.“The human body can tolerate only a limited range of ambient heat,” said lead author Qinqin Kong from Stanford Health Policy (SHP). “Understanding where, when, and to what extent these limits are exceeded is critical for informing climate prevention policies,” Kong said.What Did The Study Find?Also read: AC Becomes ‘Must-Have’ For Offices As London Faces Fifth Heatwave; Here’s Why It Still Raises Dehydration RiskThe study accounts for age-related differences in heat tolerance on a global scale. Researchers drew on previously published laboratory experiments that measured heat tolerance across three age groups:Younger adults: 15–39 yearsMiddle-aged adults: 40–59 yearsOlder adults: 60 years and overThe researchers then mapped where heat would become dangerous for each group and how many people would be affected.They used a high-resolution heat stress metric across scenarios ranging from 1°C to 4°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels, in 0.5°C increments, combined with population projections.Based on at least 180 hours of dangerous heat annually, assuming roughly six hours of such heat per day:At 1.5°C warming: 22% of the world's older adults — about 290 million people — could face unsafe heat for at least one month each year.At 3°C or higher warming, older adults could face dangerous heat day and night for three months straight.A similar level of risk is not projected until 4°C warming, when about 17% (490 million people) could be affected.Which Countries Will Be Most Affected?Read More: UK, France Brace for Another Heatwave: How Hot Weather Can Affect MedicinesAccording to the study, South Asia and the Persian Gulf regions are projected to be among the most exposed.At that level of warming, just four countries—India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh—would account for 1.5 billion people, or 73% of the total population affected worldwide, across all age groups.The researchers warned that the greatest challenge will fall on countries that combine high heat exposure with high poverty rates and limited access to cooling, including:IndiaPakistanBangladeshMyanmarNigerWhy Are Older Adults at Higher Risk?Each additional degree of warming exposes roughly 1 billion more people to at least 180 hours of uncompensable heat a year, with older adults bearing a disproportionate share of the risk.When researchers accounted for the reduced heat tolerance associated with aging, the number of people facing repeated, uncompensable heat exposure was two to eight times higher than earlier estimates that used young-adult thresholds for everyone.This is particularly concerning because extreme heat is already one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths worldwide. Heat-related mortality may also become the largest contributor to climate-related costs in a warming world.Why Prolonged Heat Can Be Dangerous?The researchers noted that sustained exposure beyond the body's heat tolerance limits can lead to dangerous or even fatal hyperthermia and can worsen pre-existing chronic illnesses, particularly those affecting the:Cardiovascular systemRespiratory systemRenal systemThese findings underscore the urgent need for age-specific adaptation strategies alongside ambitious climate change-mitigation efforts to protect clinically vulnerable populations from escalating heat-related hazards.The study calls on governments to develop heat emergency plans and improve access to cooling and heat-warning systems.The team also stress that cutting emissions remains essential to reduce older people's risk of prolonged, round-the-clock heat exposure and protect future generations from widespread heat danger.

over 3°c warming can put over-60s at risk of months of ‘intolerable’ heat: why it’s dangerous

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