Overview

• A study published in *Science Advances* found that older adults in areas with frequent extreme heat days experience faster biological aging at the cellular level.
• Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 3,600 participants aged 56 and older, using epigenetic clocks to measure biological aging linked to heat exposure.
• Participants in regions with high heat days, such as Phoenix, Arizona, showed up to 14 months of additional biological aging compared to those in cooler areas.
• The study highlights the combined impact of heat and humidity, particularly for older adults whose bodies are less efficient at regulating temperature.
• Scientists and policymakers call for urban planning strategies, such as increasing green spaces and providing shaded areas, to mitigate health risks as climate change intensifies extreme heat.