Supervisors info:
Νικόλαος Καβαντζάς, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Ανδρέας Λάζαρης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Σωτήριος Μάιπας Δρ., Φυσικός, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Climate change is a global emergency due to its severe results comprising weather
events such as increased heat, heatwaves, wildfires, flooding, drought or storms, and
decreased air quality. This human-mediated change affects critically life conditions and
quality in human communities, especially in metropolises, or big cities and in geographical
areas that suffer from extreme weather phenomena. Climate change is responsible for a
variety of health negative effects in different subpopulations due to specific characteristics
in them. Critical factors that differentiate the response rates to climate change
consequences are biological sensitivity, geographical aspects, and socio-economic
differences.
The most sensitive group of people that suffers from climate change seems to be the
older people. They characterized by a combination of health problems and inability to be adapt to the climate conditions that modify its life and every day activity. In order this adaptation in new conditions to be sustainable there is an increasing need for novel
medical and nursing services to support them significantly. Older people face to a variety
of climate change’s consequences that include increased heat stress, food-, water-, and
vector-borne infections. Furthermore, it deteriorates cardiovascular and chronic respiratory
diseases, asthma, kidney failure, and hypertension. Additionally, deregulated
environmental and climate conditions negatively influences the mood profile of older
people and make them pessimistic inducing psychological problems.
In this review, the aim was to report significant information about the climate change
phenomenon, focused on the causes and the results in life and activity of older people that
represent a growing population category worldwide due to increased life span. Differences
in geography, socio-economic conditions and increased need for improved health services
in this sensitive population group are critical aspects for research and a target for national
health systems and also private medical sector to explore and find sustainable solutions.
Keywords:
Climate change, Health, Elderly, Environment, Greenhouse effect, gerontology
