California’s aging population is increasingly vulnerable to extreme heat, with older residents facing higher risks of heat-related illnesses and deaths due to climate change.
Salina Arredondo reports for Public Health Watch.
In short:
- The San Joaquin Valley endures more than 100 days of extreme heat annually, posing significant health risks to seniors who account for 28% of heat-related deaths since 2020.
- Older adults face unique vulnerabilities, including impaired sweat glands, diminished thirst and fragile hearts, exacerbating the risks of heat-related illnesses.
- Community programs like CSET are crucial, offering fast-tracked home weatherization and mental health screenings for seniors in the face of inadequate state resources.
Key quote:
“Each additional bit of warming, the health consequences are substantial. We’re not talking about the next generation.”
— Kai Chen, associate professor of epidemiology at Yale
Why this matters:
As California’s climate continues to warm, seniors in vulnerable communities face life-threatening conditions exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and assistance.
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