Prolonged exposure to sub-heatwave temperatures can trigger kidney issues, sleep apnea, and depression.
While extreme heat waves grab headlines, scientists are raising concerns about the insidious dangers of chronic heat.
- Chronic heat exposure can lead to kidney dysfunction and sleep apnea.
- Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected.
- More research is needed to understand the long-term health impacts.
What are the health risks of chronic heat exposure? Chronic heat, or prolonged exposure to temperatures that don’t reach heat wave levels, can negatively impact kidney function, sleep patterns, and mental health.
The Silent Threat of Sub-Heatwave Temperatures
As heat waves intensify across the U.S., China, and Europe, experts are turning their attention to a less obvious but equally concerning threat: chronic heat. Unlike heat waves, which are defined by short bursts of extreme temperatures, chronic heat involves prolonged exposure to moderately high temperatures that may not trigger heat wave alerts.
In cities like Miami and Phoenix, temperatures can hover around 90° Fahrenheit for months, creating a persistent state of heat stress. Mayra Cruz, a climate and health researcher at the University of Miami, and her colleagues noted in the June environmental research Climate that the health impacts of this prolonged exposure are often overlooked.
Who Feels the Heat?
“It’s the family that lives with conditions that are just a little bit too hot all the time and no air conditioning,” says Victoria Turner, an urban planner at UCLA. She points out the cumulative effects on pregnant mothers, children in uncooled homes, and students in schools without air conditioning, emphasizing the potential for altered developmental physiology.
The Body’s Breaking Point
The most compelling evidence linking chronic heat to health problems comes from studies of agricultural workers in Central America.Thes workers, consistently exposed to hot conditions, face a higher risk of chronic kidney disease.Cruz notes that interventions like providing water, shade, and rest have shown promise in slowing kidney function decline.”It’s one indication that if you’re persistently exposed to heat and dehydrated, this could lead to you developing a disease,” she says.
Gaps in the Data
Despite these findings, research on the specific health risks of chronic heat remains limited. Kristie Ebi, a climate and health researcher at the University of washington in Seattle, points out that data on heat-related deaths in consistently hot regions don’t necessarily show higher mortality rates.
However, even so-called baseline heat can worsen existing health conditions. pope mosely, an intensive care physician and biomedical sciences researcher at Arizona State University in Tempe, calls heat “the great force multiplier of chronic medical conditions.” Heat stress causes blood to be redirected to the skin, reducing blood flow to other parts of the body, which can be notably dangerous for those with blood flow or inflammation issues. “We have 15 liters of tubing and five liters of blood, so we’re shunting blood constantly,” says Mosely.
Medication Complications
Mosely also notes that heat can degrade the effectiveness of certain medications or even amplify heat stress.For instance, diuretics can deplete body fluids, while some antipsychotics can interfere with sweating, making it harder to regulate body temperature.
Sleepless in the Heat
Sleep patterns can also suffer, especially in urban areas where buildings and pavement trap and radiate heat at night. Research indicates that hot nights can increase the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea. One study revealed that rising temperatures can rob individuals of approximately 44 hours of sleep annually, with noticeable effects occurring on nights warmer than 10° C (50° F).
Bastien lechat, a sleep health researcher at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, warns that repeated sleep disruptions can negatively impact cardiometabolic health and overall well-being.
Mental Toll
Chronic heat can also fuel stress and anxiety, intensify mental health conditions, and impair cognitive function. A 2020 study involving U.S. high schoolers taking the PSAT revealed that for every school day with temperatures between 32° to 37° C (90° to 99° F), student achievement dropped by about 0.17 percent compared to days between 16° to 20° C (60° to 69° F).
Unequal Exposure
Cruz emphasizes that the compounding effects of months of heat disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, who frequently enough lack the resources to afford or access adequate cooling. “We’re assuming that everyone has AC and has resources. But that’s not true,” she says.
Cruz adds that the lack of research on chronic heat may stem from the fact that it primarily impacts marginalized communities. “The populations that we tend to ignore are the exact ones that we’re talking about when it comes to chronic heat.”
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Beyond the Body: Additional Risks of Chronic Heat Exposure
The dangers of chronic heat extend beyond the immediate health concerns, impacting communities and the economy. as explored in the initial discussion, the cumulative effects of prolonged heat exposure can strain healthcare systems and create a cascade of additional challenges. This includes increased energy consumption and economic impacts on vulnerable populations. Understanding these broader consequences is essential to developing comprehensive solutions.
Chronic heat substantially impacts access to resources, especially for those lacking air conditioning.Heat can increase energy consumption as people turn to air conditioning to escape the heat. This can place an additional strain on existing energy infrastructure,perhaps leading to blackouts or brownouts.For low-income households, the increased energy bills can pose a important financial burden.
Socio-economic Disparities
As we have already touched upon, the impact of chronic heat is not evenly distributed. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, those with pre-existing medical conditions, and those without access to adequate housing, are disproportionately affected. This disparity is often a result of systemic inequalities, such as inadequate housing and access to healthcare. Areas with lower income levels frequently enough lack green spaces, creating “heat islands” that exacerbate the effects of ambient heat.
Chronic heat exposure can worsen economic disparities by impacting workforce productivity and increasing healthcare costs. People
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