A recent study suggests that living in areas with frequent extreme heat could speed up biological aging, the age of your cells, rather than just how many years you’ve lived.
Researchers discovered that people in hotter regions showed signs of accelerated biological aging compared to those in cooler climates. The study, published in Science Advances, explored the link between heat exposure and aging at a cellular level.
As climate change continues, extreme heat events are becoming more common. In the United States, heat waves last longer than they did in the 1960s, with the average heat wave season now extending 46 days longer in major cities.
Heat waves can have severe health impacts, especially on older adults, increasing risks for hospitalizations, heart disease, kidney problems, and even death, according to Dr. Eunyoung Choi, a co-author of the study and postdoctoral associate at the University of Southern California.
For this study, Dr. Choi and her team analyzed blood samples from 3,679 participants aged 56 and older from the Health and Retirement Study. They focused on epigenetic changes, which are shifts in gene activity caused by environmental factors, such as heat. Researchers used epigenetic clocks, tools that measure biological age based on these genetic changes, to assess the impact of heat on aging.
The team compared these biological age shifts with temperature data from 2010 to 2016, including heat index readings from the National Weather Service. Cities like Phoenix, Tucson, Brownsville, and Miami were found to have some of the highest heat exposure, with over 140 extreme heat days each year.
Those living in areas with frequent extreme heat were found to experience up to 14 months of additional biological aging compared to people in cooler regions. This result remained even after considering factors like physical activity and socioeconomic differences.
While the results are concerning, Dr. Choi emphasized that they don’t mean everyone in hot climates will experience faster aging. Lifestyle and socioeconomic factors can influence individual exposure to heat, meaning people in the same area may experience different effects.
Dr. Barrak Alahmad, an environmental health expert at Harvard, urged further research to understand how subtle temperature variations affect aging.
Regardless of its impact on aging, heat waves are dangerous, especially for older adults. Experts recommend taking precautions during extreme heat, such as drinking plenty of water, staying indoors, and seeking air-conditioned spaces. Lightweight, breathable clothing can also help reduce heat strain.
As extreme heat events become more frequent, Dr. Choi stresses the need for proactive measures in communities, focusing on infrastructure and public health planning rather than just emergency responses.
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