Extreme Heat Linked to Accelerated Aging in Older Adults, Study Finds

Research reveals that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can increase biological aging, raising health risks for seniors in hotter regions.

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.