Extreme Heat Exposure May Accelerate Aging at the Molecular Level, New Study Suggests

A New Study

A recent study published in Science Advances suggests that extreme heat may not only be dangerous for older people, but could also accelerate their aging process at a molecular level. The study analyzed data from over 3,600 older adults in the United States and found that those living in neighborhoods prone to extreme heat (defined as 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above) showed signs of more rapid aging at the molecular level compared to those in areas with less extreme heat.

This finding suggests that heat waves and rising temperatures associated with climate change could be chemically modifying people's DNA and speeding up their biological aging. The study authors estimate that a person living in an area with 140 or more days of extreme heat per year could age up to 14 months faster than someone living in an area with fewer than 10 extreme heat days per year.

These findings highlight the potential long-term health consequences of climate change, particularly for vulnerable populations like older adults. Further research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms by which heat exposure affects DNA and aging, and to develop strategies to mitigate these risks.