The Impact of Climate Change on the Health of Older People in LMICs
Empowering older people as key factor
De Hari Krishna Nibanupudi
Climate change disproportionately affects senior populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), exacerbating vulnerabilities stemming from age-related health concerns, poverty, and insufficient healthcare systems. Climate phenomena such as heatwaves, floods, and droughts exacerbate mortality rates, aggravate chronic illnesses, and heighten mental health risks, further intensified by restricted mobility and limited access to essential services. Frequently neglected in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction initiatives, older persons necessitate specialised interventions (HelpAge International, 2023). Our policies and strategies must be age-sensitive, robust, and inclusive to ensure fairness and equality and bolster their resilience.
The exacerbation of extreme weather phenomena such as heatwaves, floods, and droughts by climate change destabilises ecosystems, food security, and water accessibility, aggravating health inequities. Vulnerable regions, especially low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), experience elevated mortality rates, exacerbated non-communicable diseases, and heightened vulnerability to vector-borne diseases due to constraints in resources and infrastructure (Watts et al., 2021). The World Health Organisation projects that climate change will result in an additional 250,000 fatalities each year by 2050 due to hunger, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat stress (WHO, 2021). Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, often affected by heatwaves and floods, underscore the need for coordinated and equitable health and climate adaptation efforts. Only through such coordinated efforts can we effectively address the impact of climate change on at-risk elderly populations (Haines & Ebi, 2019).
Vulnerabilities of older people, especially in low- and middle-income countries
Senior populations are particularly susceptible to climate change owing to age-related impairments in thermoregulation, immunological response, and cardiovascular resistance, which heighten their risk of heat-related ailments and respiratory infections (Liu et al., 2022). Mobility constraints and social seclusion exacerbate access to essential services during emergencies. In low- and middle-income countries, these risks are exacerbated by poverty, insufficient social protection, and unequal access to healthcare. Numerous elderly individuals depend on informal caregiving networks that disintegrate in times of crisis. The lack of age-specific health policy intensifies death rates, especially in flood-prone areas such as Bangladesh, where elderly populations are disproportionately affected during catastrophes (Rahman et al., 2022).
Urgent climate-related threats impacting older people in low- and middle-income countries
The profound effects of climate change on elderly populations in low- and middle-income countries, including heatwaves, floods, droughts, and vector-borne diseases, demand immediate attention. Heatwaves, in particular, intensify health problems in older persons due to age-related physiological alterations, leading to a rise in heat-related illnesses and fatalities. The lack of access to cooling systems and healthcare services in LMICs further exacerbates their vulnerability. Vector-borne diseases, like malaria and dengue, are proliferating as a result of climate change, with elderly individuals facing increased vulnerability due to compromised immune systems and limited access to healthcare (British Medical Journal, 2024). The British Medical Journal, for instance, has been at the forefront of research and advocacy in this area. Increasing temperatures exacerbate non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular and respiratory disorders (Li et al., 2023), while climate-related catastrophes lead to mental health challenges, including anxiety and sadness (Charlson et al., 2021). Disruptions to healthcare infrastructure during disasters impede service delivery to this at-risk population (Watts et al., 2021).
In Southeast Asia, elderly individuals significantly contribute to communal resilience. Their participation in local organisations and dissemination of traditional knowledge substantially bolsters catastrophe planning and response initiatives, underscoring the importance of these actions in augmenting communities' overall resilience.
Floods, droughts, and extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, disproportionately affect older persons through displacement, loss of livelihood, and increased health risks (European Environment Agency, 2023). However, there are potential solutions to these challenges. For instance, improved disaster preparedness and response, better healthcare access, and sustainable agriculture practices can mitigate these threats. Displacement intensifies mental health disorders and restricts access to medical services, aggravating chronic ailments. Droughts result in food instability, exacerbating hunger and persistent health issues. Older persons in low- and middle-income countries, dependent on subsistence agriculture, are especially susceptible to food shortages caused by drought (WHO, 2023).
Recurring floods in Bangladesh have profoundly affected the elderly population. In August 2024, floods impacted almost 5.8 million individuals, particularly affecting the elderly, who experienced displacement and increased health risks. In sub-Saharan Africa, heatwaves have resulted in heightened mortality rates among the senior population. Research demonstrates that heat-related fatalities among those aged over 65 have increased by 167% relative to the 1990s, intensified by global warming. In Southeast Asia, elderly individuals significantly contribute to communal resilience. Their participation in local organisations and dissemination of traditional knowledge substantially bolsters catastrophe planning and response initiatives, underscoring the importance of these actions in augmenting communities' overall resilience.
Socioeconomic challenges
Older adults in LMICs face significant health risks from climate change, worsened by poverty and limited resources that restrict healthcare access (Journal of Population Ageing, 2023). Public health and social protection systems in these regions are often underfunded, failing to meet the needs of ageing populations during climate crises (Ladin Basterra E. et al 2023). Moreover, disaster preparedness and response strategies frequently lack age-sensitive approaches, overlooking older adults' unique vulnerabilities and leaving them unsupported during emergencies (HelpAge International, 2018). Inclusive, age-sensitive frameworks are essential to address these socioeconomic and policy gaps and enhance resilience for older populations.
Importance of addressing these vulnerabilities in climate adaptation and resilience-ruilding
The growing number of older adults globally, projected to double by 2050, with most in LMICs, highlights the need for age-sensitive climate adaptation frameworks (United Nations, 2022). Strengthening healthcare systems to address chronic conditions and improve emergency response can reduce older adults' vulnerability during crises (Haines & Ebi, 2019). Involving older populations in designing strategies leverages their experiences for inclusive solutions. Programs like tailored early warning systems and community-led initiatives in LMICs not only demonstrate the potential of such approaches to build resilience and equity (Watts et al., 2021) but also foster sustainable and intergenerational responses to climate impacts, offering a beacon of hope in the face of a daunting challenge.
Addressing these challenges requires integrating the needs of older adults into climate adaptation strategies and international platforms such as COP 30. Age-sensitive policies, strengthened healthcare systems, and inclusive disaster risk reduction efforts are crucial. By empowering older populations and leveraging their insights, we can build equitable, resilient communities capable of withstanding the escalating impacts of climate change.
Conclusion and recommendations
In conclusion, the urgency of the issue cannot be overstated. Climate change is exacerbating the vulnerabilities of older populations in LMICs, presenting critical challenges that demand immediate, targeted action. Heatwaves, floods, droughts, and climate-sensitive diseases pose significant health risks, compounded by socioeconomic inequalities and gaps in healthcare and policy frameworks. Addressing these challenges requires integrating the needs of older adults into climate adaptation strategies and international platforms such as COP 30. Age-sensitive policies, strengthened healthcare systems, and inclusive disaster risk reduction efforts are crucial. By empowering older populations and leveraging their insights, we can build equitable, resilient communities capable of withstanding the escalating impacts of climate change.
Integrating the impacts of climate change on older populations into international policy platforms like COP 30 is essential. Age-inclusive climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies are vital to address the specific vulnerabilities of older adults (UNFCCC, 2021). Strengthening health systems to provide tailored care during climate-related disasters can mitigate adverse health outcomes (Prina M. et al., 2024). Empowering older individuals through inclusion in policy-making and community resilience efforts is not just beneficial, but essential. It ensures their needs and insights shape effective responses, making them feel valued and integral to the process (Ryan Woolrych et al, 2022). Prioritizing these measures in global climate agendas will enhance resilience and promote healthy ageing in a changing climate.
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