Living with Extreme Heat Might Make You Age Faster
A new study reveals that prolonged exposure to extreme heat may accelerate biological aging, with effects comparable to smoking, particularly in older adults. The research indicates that individuals in hotter regions of the U.S. could experience an increase in biological age by as much as 2.48 years due to chronic heat exposure. This finding highlights the urgent need to address the health impacts of climate change, emphasizing that extreme heat poses significant long-term risks beyond immediate heat-related illnesses.
- The study underscores the importance of considering both acute and chronic health effects of extreme weather, potentially reshaping public health policies around climate adaptation and community resilience.
- What measures can be implemented to mitigate the long-term health effects of extreme heat on vulnerable populations?