Adverse impacts on human health can result from extreme weather conditions, encompassing concerns related to both severe heat and cold. Storms and harsh weather phenomena like hurricanes and droughts can give rise to secondary threats such as floods and wildfires.
Temperature Extremes Heat
Due to climate change, heat waves are occurring more frequently. An increased frequency of extreme heat days or prolonged exposure to high temperatures can have detrimental effects on health, posing a global threat according to the World Health Organization.
Although tracking the health impacts of heat waves is challenging, researchers are making strides. Research revealed that an unprecedented period of dangerously high temperatures in Washington state was linked to additional injury-related deaths.
Heat-related illnesses include heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke. The latter, also known as sunstroke, is considered a medical emergency and occurs when the body’s regulatory system fails to cool itself. Symptoms of heat stress include dizziness, fainting, headaches, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, and weakness. Extreme heat protection tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are available for reference.
Urban Heat Islands
The rise in temperatures and associated health risks is not uniformly experienced across populations. Cities, in particular, experience higher temperatures than their surrounding areas due to the urban heat island effect. This localized temperature increase results from the heat-retaining properties of paved surfaces on roads and buildings compared to vegetated landscapes. Highly developed urban areas can exhibit mid-afternoon temperatures 15°F to 20°F warmer than green spaces. Notably, urban neighborhoods historically subjected to redlining often lack green space, contributing to the adverse effects of heat islands.
Both high temperatures and air pollution heighten health risks, with the combination of extreme heat and particulate air pollution becoming more prevalent due to climate change. NIEHS-supported research indicates that mortality rates increase on hot days and those with high levels of fine-particulate air pollution. The impact is significantly higher when an area experiences both high heat and air pollution compared to each condition individually.
Cold
Extremely cold air affects millions of people seasonally , leading to health issues and ice-related hazards such as falls and car accidents. In cold weather, individuals without adequate shelter or those stranded may face health emergencies.
Cold air acts as a vasoconstrictor, narrowing blood vessels and increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Blood pressure tends to rise with cold exposure.
Hypothermia, where the body’s internal temperature drops too low, can occur through immersion in cold water or exposure to cold weather. Even mild cold can lead to prolonged exposure and hypothermia. Signs that the body is not handling the cold well include stiffness in the neck, arms, and legs.
Older adults, experiencing faster heat loss due to aging, are more vulnerable to the cold. The National Institute on Aging offers Cold Weather Safety tips for older adults.
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