Health perceptions of adverse weather in older adults in England: analysis of 2019/20 survey data

Risks to older adults (OA) (aged 65+ years) associated with hot and cold weather in the UK are well-documented. The study aim is to explore OA perception of health risks from high and low temperatures, health-protective measures undertaken, and implications for public health messaging. In 2019/20, Ipsos MORI conducted face-to-face surveys with OA in England (n = 461 cold weather survey, n = 452 hot weather survey). Participants reported temperature-related symptoms, risk perceptions for different groups, and behaviours during hot and cold weather. Analysis involved binomial logistic regression models to assess potential factors (demographics, vulnerability, behaviours) associated with older adults' health risk perception in hot and cold weather. Less than half of OA in both surveys agreed that hot or cold weather posed a risk to their health. OA with higher education, annual income >£25 000 or home ownership were less likely to perceive their health at risk during cold weather and regional differences in hot weather were identified. OA who recognized those the same age or living alone as at an increased risk were more likely to perceive their own health as at risk. OA were more likely to self-identify health risks when reporting those aged 65 yrs+ to be at an increased risk in cold weather. Various temperature-related protective behaviours were associated with older adults' risk perception in hot and cold weather. These findings provide evidence for public health agencies to target high risk individuals, and modify temperature-related public health messaging to protect OA.