A recent study from the University of Southern California has revealed that older adults in extremely hot neighborhoods experience accelerated biological aging, aging up to 14 months faster than their cooler-region counterparts. The researchers analyzed blood samples and local heat indices to assess the impact of heat on biological age, focusing on participants over 55. As migration towards warmer Sun Belt states increases, understanding the effects of extreme heat becomes vital for public health, requiring proactive measures to protect vulnerable populations from rising temperatures.
People in neighborhoods that experience more days of high heat show greater biological aging on average than residents of cooler regions.
Individuals in hotter areas, like Phoenix, aged up to 14 months faster biologically than peers in cooler regions, even after accounting for lifestyle and socioeconomic differences.
This study highlights that the migration to Sun Belt states needs to be coupled with increased awareness and protective measures against extreme heat.
As the climate warms, more people will be exposed to these harmful effects, emphasizing the urgency for communities to adapt and protect their residents.
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