Font size:
Print
Shift in Temperature-Related Mortality
Context:
A new study reveals that climate change could shift the burden of temperature-related deaths from older to younger populations, challenging previous assumptions that older adults are most vulnerable to both heat- and cold-related mortality.
Key Findings:
- Higher Mortality Rates: The study found that 75% of heat-related deaths in Mexico occurred among individuals under 35, with a significant portion falling within the 18 to 35 age group. This contrasts with previous assumptions that older individuals were more vulnerable to extreme heat.
- Wet-Bulb Temperatures: Researchers used the wet-bulb temperature scale, which measures the combined effects of heat and humidity, to analyse mortality data from 1998 to 2019. They discovered that young adults were disproportionately affected by high temperatures.
- Outdoor Labour and Strenuous Activities: The study suggests that young adults are more likely to engage in outdoor labour, such as farming and construction, and participate in strenuous activities, increasing their exposure to heat-related risks.
Factors Contributing to the Shift:
- Physiological Vulnerability: Younger individuals are more susceptible to heat stress due to their higher metabolic rates and increased physical activity.
- Socioeconomic Factors: In many regions, younger populations are more likely to work in outdoor, labour-intensive jobs, increasing their exposure to extreme temperatures.
- Urbanisation: Rapid urbanisation leads to the urban heat island effect, where cities experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas.
Health Impacts:
- Heat: Dehydration, heatstroke, and exacerbated chronic illnesses are common during heatwaves.
- Cold: Frostbite, respiratory infections, and hypothermia remain significant risks during severe cold snaps.
Climate Change and Inequality:
- The disproportionate heat-related mortality among younger populations could lead to climate-driven inequality, as younger people in hotter and lower-income countries will bear the brunt of heat-related impacts.
- These regions, which include Africa, Central America, West Asia, and parts of South and Southeast Asia, also have some of the youngest populations globally, making them particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change.
Global Efforts:
- Paris Agreement: The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. This agreement is a cornerstone of global climate policy and has significant implications for reducing temperature-related mortality1.
- Climate Action Plans: Many countries have developed national climate action plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline their commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate impacts.
- Multi-Country Collaborations: The Multi-Country Multi-City (MCC) Collaborative Research Network analyses the associations between environmental stressors, climate, and health across multiple countries.
- This collaborative approach enhances our understanding of regional vulnerabilities and informs targeted interventions.
Implications for Global Health:
- The findings suggest that climate change will significantly impact the younger population in regions with high humidity and rising temperatures.
- This has wide-reaching implications for global health, particularly in lower-income countries that are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
- Public health initiatives should focus on improving access to cooling centres, promoting heat awareness, and implementing workplace safety measures for outdoor workers.
