🌅 Extreme Heat Can Age You As Much As Smoking

SOURCE

Chen et al. (2025)

WHAT TO KNOW

• A new study by researchers at the University of Hong Kong found exposure to extreme heat accelerates the body’s aging and increases the risk of various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and dementia. The team found exposure to prolonged periods of extreme heat over two years can add between 8-12 days to a person’s biological clock, an extent comparable to the effect of regular smoking or alcohol consumption.

WHY IT MATTERS

• The study found prolonged exposure to extreme heat can weaken bodily systems, which shows up in tests for things like blood pressure, lung and kidney function, and liver disease. Experts describe the study as a “wake-up call” about the impacts of climate change and the vulnerability of billions of people worldwide.

CONNECT THE DOTS

• Unlike your chronological age—the length of time you've existed—your biological age reflects the functioning of your cells, tissues, and organs. Biological age can be checked using a variety of physiological and molecular markers, as well as a number of tests to measure things like lung function, cognitive ability, and bone density.