Climate Change and Older Adults

geriatri-10-1-kapak-wos

M. Kirami ÖLGENa,b

aEge University Faculty of Letters, Department of Geography, İzmir, Türkiye
bEge University Institute of Health Science, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Elderly Health, İzmir, Türkiye

ABSTRACT
We have been experiencing the effects of climate change to an increasing extent for quite some time. Heatwaves, floods, storms, excessive rainfall, and droughts impact human health. Undoubtedly, the elderly are among the most affected groups due to their vulnerabilities. For instance, morbidity and mortality resulting from heatwaves are predominantly observed among the elderly. Moreover, it is expected that the population aged 60 and above will constitute 25% of the total population by 2050. The proportion of the elderly population within the total population is on the rise not only in developed countries but also in other low-income countries. These countries are expected to be the most affected by climate change. This implies that health problems arising from climate change will likely increase in the future. This text attempts to systematically outline the effects of climate change on elderly health.
Keywords: Climate change; extreme weather; elderly healths

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