Research indicates that while older adults currently face most cold-related deaths, those under 35 will disproportionately suffer from heat-related fatalities as temperatures rise, with a projected 32% increase this century unless greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced.
Andrew Wilson, a researcher from Columbia University, highlighted that the unexpected finding of their study suggests a significant shift in heat mortality from older populations to younger individuals as the climate crisis intensifies.
The study, which analyzed mortality data from Mexico, revealed that 75% of heat-related deaths between 1999 and 2019 occurred among individuals under 35, underscoring the need for a reevaluation of who is considered vulnerable to extreme heat.
As climate change progresses, it's crucial to reconsider the narrative around heat-related mortality; the burden is shifting towards younger populations, particularly in regions experiencing high temperatures and humidity.
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