According to a new research published on Nature Climate Changeprolonged exposure to extreme heat not only puts health in the immediate risk, but could also accelerate the aging of our body. A silent but concrete effect, which affects more and more people in a planet who is heating up.
The study analyzed the health data of about 25,000 adults in Taiwan for a period of 15 years, reaching a surprising result: two years lived in a climate characterized by frequent heat waves can increase the biological age from 8 to 12 days.
But what does “biological age” mean? It is not the one written on the identity card, but rather the real state of our cells, our organs and tissues. In practice, as our body really is, beyond the age.
Scientists speak of an effect comparable to that caused by smoke or alcohol, with long -term implications important for public health. Which Guo, professor at the University of Hong Kong and research coordinator, explained
The number itself may seem small, but on a global scale it can make a big difference.
According to the same line of research, the more you live in hot environments, the faster you age the more. A further study by the University of Southern California has observed that the elderly people who live in areas where temperatures often exceed 32 ° C (90 ° F) have shown up to 14 months more than biological age compared to those who live in milder climates.
And this effect does not depend only on other factors such as income, lifestyle or any pre -existing diseases: it is directly connected to the amount of torrid days experienced every year. For example, in Phoenix (Arizona), the days of “extreme caution” – when the heat is so strong that it becomes a danger to health – can cover half of the year.
The consequences of the extreme heat on health
The heat waves do not affect all in the same way. The most exposed people are manual workers, those who live in rural areas and communities with little access to the air conditioning. In these contexts, the heat can become a factor of social inequality, worsening pre -existing diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular disorders, kidney, neurological and mental problems.
According to the EPA (Agency for Environmental Protection of the United States), the average number of heat waves has tripled from the 60s to today, and temperature peaks are increasingly intense. The days considered “extreme” are those in which the temperature exceeds 35 ° C, but the level of risk also depends on the geography and the ability of the population to protect itself.
Every year, the extreme heat kills about 2,000 people only in the United States, but it is thought that the real numbers are much higher, due to the difficulty in tracking and investigations on the causes of death.
How can we protect ourselves?
What can we do, then, to not make us overwhelm from the heat and protect our health over time? Experts advise you to be hydrated, avoid going out in the hottest hours of the day, dress lightly, using blackout curtains, fans or, when possible, take refuge in cool places.
Even if the summer turns to the end, September can still reserve very hot days, especially in cities. And with the ongoing climate change, this trend is destined to increase.
The figure is clear: living in an too hot environment is not only uncomfortable – it is a risk for our future health.
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