Aging Californians face extreme heat challenges

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.

Related EHN coverage:

• Worsening heat waves are hammering the disabled community
• Op-ed: We are undercounting heat-related deaths in the US
• Op-ed: Ripe for disaster declarations — heat, wildfire smoke and death data