Elderly vulnerability to temperature-related mortality risks in China

The elderly face elevated mortality risk due to rising temperature. Previous assessments of temperature-related mortality, however, lack a comprehensive analysis of distinct impacts of temperature change across different timescales and characteristics. Using a longitudinal survey of 27,233 elderly Chinese citizens from 2005 to 2018, we establish connections between rising temperatures, temperature variability, and extreme heat with increased mortality risk, assessed through four annual metrics that combine temperature and humidity. The intensity and prolonged duration of extreme heat are found to have the greatest impact on mortality risk. Furthermore, by identifying heterogeneous impacts based on location, sex, age, obesity, income, and diet, we reveal the pathways through which temperature metrics are likely to influence mortality risk. Our study highlights the compound effects of rising temperatures for elderly populations, and it could be expanded to other countries and regions experiencing similar challenges due to an aging population experiencing warming conditions.

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Publication Details

Journal
Science Advances
Published
2025-02-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ado5499
Citations
16
Primary Topic
Climate Change and Health Impacts
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
18.00
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article

Elderly vulnerability to temperature-related mortality risks in China

Suhong Liu, Ruiqiang Ding, Yuebin Wang, Jing Yang et al.
16 citations
Science Advances
Climate Change and Health Impacts
18.00
article

Elderly vulnerability to temperature-related mortality risks in China

Suhong Liu, Ruiqiang Ding, Yuebin Wang, Jing Yang, Michael Mann, Qiwei Yu, Jintai Lin, Ying Qu, Liqiang Zhang, Mengting Li, Jing Wei, Xin Yao, Junpei Tao, Chen Bai, Qihao Wang, Ashok Mishra
article en
16 citations

Abstract

The elderly face elevated mortality risk due to rising temperature. Previous assessments of temperature-related mortality, however, lack a comprehensive analysis of distinct impacts of temperature change across different timescales and characteristics. Using a longitudinal survey of 27,233 elderly Chinese citizens from 2005 to 2018, we establish connections between rising temperatures, temperature variability, and extreme heat with increased mortality risk, assessed through four annual metrics that combine temperature and humidity. The intensity and prolonged duration of extreme heat are found to have the greatest impact on mortality risk. Furthermore, by identifying heterogeneous impacts based on location, sex, age, obesity, income, and diet, we reveal the pathways through which temperature metrics are likely to influence mortality risk. Our study highlights the compound effects of rising temperatures for elderly populations, and it could be expanded to other countries and regions experiencing similar challenges due to an aging population experiencing warming conditions.

Science AdvancesVol. 11(6)
Peking University (CN), Beijing Normal University (CN), Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (US), University of Maryland, College Park (US), Renmin University of China (CN), University of Pennsylvania (US), Clemson University (US), Texas A&M University (US)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Climate Change and Health Impacts
18.00
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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