Disturbing news first arrived from the University of South California – the researchers at the beginning of this year came to the conclusion that Extreme heat accelerates the aging of people of advanced age – Now they were confirmed by experts from the University of Hong Kong. They proved that The heat waves accelerate biological aging processes by about 9 days for four days of heat over two years. They warned that more frequent and longer periods of high temperatures were a serious challenge for public health and require change in climate policies.
Research results were published in “Nature Climate Change”, nearly 25,000 were based on health analysis. Taiwanese – their average biological age was 46 years, which were observed for 15 years – from 2008 to 2022. It was calculated that an additional 1.3 degree of Celsius had the participants of the study by 0.023–0,031. – We conducted a series of medical tests related to blood pressure, inflammation and organs, which helped researchers determine biological age. Although the number itself may seem small, over time and in various populations, this effect may have significant implications for public health, “said Dr. Cui Guo, assistant professor at the Department of Planning and Urban Design of the University of Hong Kong in an interview with” Nature “.
The heat of our body was compared to the effects of alcohol abuse and smoking. Occasionally reaching for a cigarette or a drink does not harm, but notorious use of stimulants – just like a permanent exposure to the sun and high temperatures – is fatal for us. Researchers warned that the heat particularly affect physical workers, village residents and people with limited access to air conditioning. Observations have shown that In the case of manual workers, the acceleration of biological age was even three times higher And it reached 33 days during the same exhibition period.
The heat accelerates the development of cancer, dementia and diabetes
– Extreme temperatures can lead to telomera shortening, disturbing cell balance and DNA and mitochondria damage – processes closely related to aging – experts from the University of Hong Kong believe. -Accelerated biological age is an early indicator of increased risk of developing diseases such as cancer, dementia, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. You have to take into account the deterioration of the function of the cardiovascular system, especially in the elderly. Thermal stress burden the left ventricle, leading to increased mortality among seniors, mainly for cardiological reasons. Age reduces the body's ability to thermoregulation, reduced sweating efficiency and weakened feeling of desire – they warn.
In a short period, extreme heat immediately burden the cooling system of the body. Sweating and increased blood flow to the skin help regulate the temperature, but these reactions additionally burden the heart and kidneys. If liquids and rest are insufficient, this may lead to dehydration, thermal exhaustion, and in severe cases of potentially deadly thermal stroke. In the long run, repetitive or long -term exposure to high temperatures can worsen chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, respiratory and kidney disease.
In the heat, let's run to the enclages of greenery
Research results are disturbing especially in the face of the aging of society – the population of people aged 65 and older is growing. Looking for the protection of seniors – if possible – they should migrate from city centers and settle in green enclaves. Of course, authorities have to play a huge role here, which should implement appropriate plans for heat and health. Early warning systems are needed, support programs for high -risk groups – including seniors and manual workers and social education on the subject of long -term heat.
Ideally, local governments properly prepared urban infrastructure – increased the number of parks and green areas, prepared cooling points and sources of drinking water. Experts believe that such actions should be taken immediately taking into account the fact that heat waves are becoming more frequent and last longer, so their impact on health can be much greater in the future.
The heat will stay with us
Let us emphasize that the heat wave is a long -term period of extremely high temperature, defined in relation to local climate thresholds, and not to one universal temperature. For example, in Great Britain, Met Office announces a wave of heat when daily maximum temperatures exceed the regional thresholds for three or more days – usually 25 ° C in cooler regions such as Wales and Scotland, and 28 ° C in warmer zones, including in London and some parts of the central part of England.
In Poland, a warning against heat is issued by the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management in the case of temperature forecasts exceeding 30 ° C for at least a few hours or for a period of at least 3 days. Unfortunately, you have to take into account the fact that the phenomenon of heat in Poland will be more frequent and increasing, which is in line with the global trend of climate warming. Long -term forecasts indicate a further temperature increase and more frequent periods of hot weather in the future. World Weather Attribution, an international network of researchers showed that On average, from 2024, around 41 additional days of dangerous heat will occur in the world.
