Climate Change and Older Adults: A Scoping Review of Health Impacts and Policy Recommendations

Abstract Climate change poses significant threats to global health, and older adults are particularly vulnerable due to physiological, socioeconomic and environmental factors. Understanding the breadth of health impacts on this demographic is crucial for developing targeted interventions and policies. This scoping review aims to systematically map the existing literature on the health impacts of climate change on older adults, identify knowledge gaps and provide evidence-based policy recommendations. Following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews framework, we conducted a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature across multiple databases. Studies examining the relationship between climate change and health outcomes in older adults aged 60 years and above were included. Data were extracted and synthesised thematically across physical health, mental health and social well-being domains. The review identified multifaceted health impacts of climate change on older adults, including increased morbidity and mortality from extreme heat events, cardiovascular and respiratory complications from air pollution, mental health challenges associated with climate-related disasters and social isolation exacerbated by environmental changes. Significant gaps exist in research addressing the intersectionality of climate impacts with socioeconomic status, geographic location and pre-existing health conditions among older populations. Older adults face disproportionate health risks from climate change, necessitating age-inclusive climate adaptation strategies, enhanced healthcare infrastructure and policies that address both immediate and long-term vulnerabilities. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of interventions and on the development of resilience-building programmes tailored to ageing populations.