Scorching summer temperatures across the U.S.A. reveal an overlooked concern: older adults facing the effects of climate change. A study by health and climate researchers including CMCC’s Giacomo Falchetta, delving into older people’s heightened vulnerability to extreme heat, was promoted in major North American newspapers.
Rising temperatures across the Southern United States this summer have placed millions of Americans in danger, leading to scorching heatwaves and distressing conditions in major cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Miami.
Amidst these visible struggles, a hidden crisis emerged – that of older adults who are suffering the effects of a warmer climate.
investigates the intersection of older adults’ health and climate change, revealing two significant trends – an aging population and increasing temperatures – portend a potentially dire future.
The authors, experts in the fields of older adults’ health, climate change and their intersection, include CMCC’s Giacomo Falchetta. They described their findings and in a longform article in the Los Angeles Times. Their research was also described in articles on the same theme in the and the .
By using future county-level population scenarios and climate model outputs from NASA, the researchers evaluated the impacts of both moderate and severe warming. Their findings indicate a growing vulnerability among older individuals to the adverse physical and mental health effects of extreme heat.
Remarkably, regions historically known for high temperatures, such as Arizona and desert areas in California, are witnessing accelerated aging populations. This trend underscores the urgency for local governments to address the unique needs of older residents during heatwaves, necessitating initiatives such as accessible cooling centers and specialized training for first responders.