Heat waves put older persons at high risk – UN

As extreme heat grips many countries, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warns of heightened health risks for older persons in the Frontiers 2025 Report.

The report states that adults aged 65 years and older, women, and people living in lower-middle income countries and tropical climates are at high morbidity and mortality risk from exposure to high
temperatures and heatwaves.

“Heat waves are among the most frequent and deadly impacts of climate change, along with floods and shrinking ice cover,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

“We must be prepared for the risks these impacts pose, especially for society’s most vulnerable, including older persons. Yet as this year’s Frontiers Report shows, solutions exist that can help protect communities and restore ecosystems long thought to have been lost.” 

The report notes that annual heat-related deaths among older persons have risen by an estimated 85% since the 1990s. Additional risks arise from deteriorating air quality and floods in low-lying coastal cities where older persons live. 

The report highlights that acute and prolonged exposures to intense heat and cold put a significant strain on the heart, increasing the risk of illnesses and death from common cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory conditions, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, asthma and pneumonia.

It highllights that projections indicate that heatwaves will become more intense, frequent and persistent in nearly all regions.

“As heatwaves intensify, scientists warn us of the amplified danger when extreme heat and humidity combine. Higher humidity tends to limit the human body’s ability to cool itself through the evaporation of sweat,” the report states.

The report recommends making cities pollution-free, resilient, and accessible spaces with expansive vegetation.

Key strategies include better urban planning, community-based disaster risk management, and improved access to climate information for older populations.