New research links frequent heatwaves to faster aging in vulnerable populations

Repeated exposure to extreme heat may speed up biological aging, especially in rural and low-income communities with limited access to cooling, according to a long-term study from Taiwan.

Vishwam Sankaran reports for The Independent.

In short:

• Scientists examined health data from nearly 25,000 Taiwanese adults over 15 years and found a consistent link between cumulative heatwave exposure and accelerated biological aging.
• People who lived in rural areas, worked manual jobs, or lacked access to air conditioning were more likely to experience aging beyond their chronological years.
• The study urges policymakers to reduce environmental disparities and improve protections for those most at risk during periods of extreme heat.

Why this matters:

As climate change drives more frequent and intense heatwaves, the physical toll on the human body is becoming harder to ignore. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat doesn’t just cause dehydration or heatstroke; it may also age cells faster, raising risks for chronic disease and early death. This biological stress hits hardest in places with poor infrastructure, fewer cooling systems, and jobs that force people to work outside. These conditions disproportionately affect rural residents and lower-income workers, deepening existing health disparities.

Read more: Extreme heat may speed up aging at the molecular level