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Age and livability in a hotter climate
W Larry Kenney1, Rachel M Cottle2, Daniel J Vecellio3
1Department of Kinesiology and Integrative and Biomedical Physiology, Noll Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Department of Kinesiology, Noll Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
Ebiomedicine
|November 13, 2025
Summary
Older adults over 65 are vulnerable to heat. Research established critical heat and humidity limits for their safety and daily living, crucial for climate change adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Gerontology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Older adults (65+ years) are highly susceptible to adverse health outcomes from extreme heat events.
- Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, posing significant risks to this demographic.
- Understanding physiological heat strain boundaries is crucial for protecting vulnerable populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish critical environmental limits (temperature and humidity) for older adults.
- To define the thresholds between compensable and uncompensable heat strain in this age group.
- To assess the impact of climate change on the livability for the aging population.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 273 human subject experiments in controlled environmental chambers.
- Tested participants aged 65-92 years at rest and during activities of daily living.
- Determined critical environmental limits defining upper bounds of heat tolerance.
Main Results:
- Identified specific combinations of ambient temperature and relative humidity representing critical limits for older adults.
- Established physiological boundaries for heat strain in individuals aged 65-92.
- Provided data on the livability thresholds for the aging population under various environmental conditions.
Conclusions:
- The PSU H.E.A.T. Project provides essential data on heat tolerance for older adults.
- Findings are critical for developing public health strategies and climate adaptation plans for aging populations.
- Future livability for US adults over 65 will be increasingly impacted by climate change projections.
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