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Saturday, July 12, 2025

Extreme Heat and Ageing: Uncovering a Hidden Health Threat

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Recent research has uncovered a concerning link between extreme heat and ageing. Beyond its well-known short-term dangers, sustained exposure to high temperatures may significantly accelerate biological ageing. Scientists now warn that climate change isn’t just an environmental issue—it could be silently reshaping how our bodies age at the cellular level.

Understanding Biological Ageing

Biological ageing refers to the internal deterioration of the body’s systems, especially at the cellular and molecular levels. Unlike chronological age, biological age reflects how well—or poorly—your body is functioning. Researchers track this through epigenetic clocks, which measure DNA methylation patterns—chemical markers that shift over time and respond to environmental stressors, including temperature extremes.

How Extreme Heat Accelerates Ageing

A groundbreaking study involving over 3,600 elderly Americans found that people living in regions with frequent extreme heat events experience significantly faster biological ageing. Participants exposed to around 140 extreme heat days each year showed biological changes equivalent to an additional 14 months of ageing compared to peers in cooler regions.

The Science Behind the Shift

Prolonged heat exposure triggers changes in DNA methylation, which can result in what scientists term maladaptive epigenetic memory. In simpler terms, the body retains a harmful molecular “memory” of heat stress, even after the heat subsides. Evidence from earlier animal studies supports this theory, highlighting lasting changes in gene expression and cell function following heat exposure.

Public Health Consequences

The link between extreme heat and ageing carries serious implications for public health. Accelerated ageing can lead to earlier onset of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Older adults—already vulnerable—face compounded risks, especially those with underlying health conditions or limited access to cooling and healthcare.

Barriers to Heat Adaptation

Although some people can acclimatize to heat over time, older adults often face physiological challenges that reduce their adaptability. Medications that impair thermoregulation and weakened cardiovascular systems make it harder to withstand high temperatures. This means that even moderately hot days can become dangerous for this population.

A Call for Immediate Action

With climate change driving longer and more intense heat waves, these findings highlight the urgent need for climate-informed health policies. Protective strategies—like better urban planning, improved elderly care protocols, and community heat response plans—are critical to reducing the health burden of rising temperatures.

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