As global temperatures rise, the U.S. faces a surge in heat-related deaths by mid-century, with older adults and ethnic minorities most at risk.
Without swift climate action, the death toll could more than double. Study: Projections of Extreme Temperature–Related Deaths in the US . Image Credit: VladisChern / Shutterstock.
com In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open , researchers analyze the current burden of mortality related to extreme temperatures in the United States. The researchers also estimate projected excess deaths due to rising temperatures in the next few decades based on demographic factors and emission trajectories of two greenhouse gases (GHGs). How does extreme weather affect human health? The exponential increase in GHG emissions due to human actions has led to extreme heat events in the U.
S. that are expected to rise in the near future, whereas extreme cold events are reducing in frequency. Understanding the impact of these changes and shifts in population demographics on temperature-associated mortality is essential for shaping public health and climate change policies.
Extreme heat is on the rise: The U.S. is projected to experience a dramatic increase in extreme heat days by the mid-21st century, which will significantly raise temperature-related mortality rates.
The human body functions optimally within a narrow temperature range; therefore, extreme heat or cold exposure can increase mortality risks. Several studies have reported that older .