Mexico study reveals heat kills young people more than elderly

A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that young adults under 35 are more vulnerable to heat-related deaths in Mexico than those over 50, VOA reported yesterday. Analyzing mortality data from 1998 to 2019, researchers found nearly 32 temperature-related deaths among those aged 35 and younger for every death of someone aged 50 and older at high humidity and temperatures around 30°C.

Notably, individuals aged 18 to 35 experienced nine times as many heat-related fatalities as those older than 50. The study suggests that outdoor workers and a lack of awareness about personal limits may contribute to this trend.

As climate change exacerbates heat conditions, the risk to younger populations is expected to increase. Researchers emphasize that high humidity impairs the body’s ability to cool itself, raising the risk of heat-related injuries like heat stroke. This alarming trend calls for urgent public health responses to protect vulnerable populations from rising temperatures.