A framework for ageing and health vulnerabilities in a changing climate

Abstract

The twenty-first century will witness historically unprecedented shares of older adult populations with an unfolding set of health-related challenges associated with climate change. Building on existing evidence that focuses on climate–ageing, ageing–health and health–climate connections, this Review summarizes ageing trends and the biophysical, socio-demographic, cultural and contextual pathways that shape the disproportionate impacts of climate-related environmental stress on older adults’ health. We propose a framework to conceptualize how these many factors intersect with climate stressors to impact the health of older adults. We also discuss knowledge gaps and suggest ways to improve social and health science research and data infrastructure. Older adults are more likely to have health conditions that increase their vulnerability to climate stressors. This Review introduces a framework to conceptualize how biophysical, socio-demographic, cultural and contextual factors intersect with climate stressors to impact the health of older adults.