Climate Exposure and Health Vulnerability Among Older Adults in Nigerian Cities

Against the background of growing climate variability and the heightened health risks it poses to aging populations, this study investigates how climate exposure, socioeconomic factors, and health vulnerability intersect among older adults in urban Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional survey of 1,225 respondents aged 50 years and above in Ibadan, Kano, and Makurdi, information was collected on socioeconomic conditions, climate-related experiences, and self-reported health outcomes. Composite indices for Socioeconomic Status (SES), Climate Exposure (CEI), Disease Burden (DBI), and overall Vulnerability (VI) were developed using Principal Component Analysis and standardized scoring techniques. More than 90 percent of respondents reported noticeable climatic changes, with significant spatial variation in rising temperatures, flooding, and unpredictable seasons. Disease burden was highest in Kano and Ibadan, where respiratory infections, malaria, and hypertension were most prevalent. Income, occupation, residential density, and length of stay emerged as significant predictors of vulnerability, while demographic factors had limited influence. The study emphasizes the need for climate- responsive urban health strategies that prioritize older adults in densely populated and economically deprived neighborhoods.