Air conditioners may help prevent heatwaves from accelerating aging
Sajjad Hussain/AFP via Getty Images
The intensity of heat waves can lead to significant long-term health impacts. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures seems to speed up biological aging in individuals.
“Currently, there are two major studies that highlight the effects of heatwave exposure on aging, focusing on different populations in various countries,” says Paul Beggs from Macquarie University in Australia. “It’s crucial to take heat waves seriously, as we are not only safeguarding our health but also the well-being of those around us.”
Recent findings from Siyi Chen at the University of Hong Kong and her research team reveal important insights. They analyzed medical screening data from around 25,000 adults in Taiwan to determine biological age based on several health indicators, including inflammation, blood pressure, and organ function. This data was then compared with time series data to assess aging rates.
“Physiological changes associated with aging can appear earlier and progress more rapidly in certain individuals,” notes Beggs, who wasn’t part of this research.
The researchers calculated each participant’s cumulative heat wave exposure over two years preceding the medical screening, assessing not just the frequency of heat waves but also the intensity of temperatures experienced. It turned out that the number of heatwave days was a critical factor in the accelerated aging observed in Taiwan’s population. These findings align with another recent study investigating outdoor temperature effects on aging in older adults in the US.
In the Taiwanese population studied, greater aging effects correlated with increased cumulative exposure to heat waves. Specifically, a four-day rise in total heatwave duration linked to an increase in biological age by as much as nine days.
The impact was particularly severe for specific demographics. For instance, manual laborers experienced aging effects that were threefold greater from equivalent heat exposure compared to the broader group. Additionally, residents in rural areas showed more pronounced aging effects, suggesting that access to air conditioning could mitigate the aging repercussions of heat exposure.
Nonetheless, to effectively combat climate change and the escalating frequency of heatwaves, the advantages of air conditioning must be balanced with more sustainable cooling alternatives, warns Beggs. “Air conditioners release heat into the environment, further worsening conditions for individuals lacking such systems,” he states.
Topic:
Source: www.newscientist.com
