Long-term extreme weather risks public health, report finds

Report authors say that as more health data becomes available from ongoing studies, the next step is to model their associations with long-term weather exposure

A new report has focused on the increasing health dangers posed by long-term weather extremes in the UK.

The review, led by the University of Bristol and published in The Lancet Planetary Health, shows how prolonged exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures not only carries greater risk of death but could also be linked to other health issues, including kidney disease and dementia.

Lead author Dann Mitchell, Professor of Climate Science at the University of Bristol Cabot Institute for the Environment, said that the report highlighted the potential for serious mortality and morbidity tolls from long-term exposure to changed weather patterns – something that isn’t captured by current climate risk-assessments.

He said: “We also do not know enough about how hotter temperatures, or continuous flooding, may interact with many different health outcomes, but we are aware of some strong links that give cause for significant concern.”

Previous studies have focused on specific health outcomes, such as heat-mortality, whereas the Bristol report offers a more holistic assessment. 

Professor Mitchell said: “Warmer nights interrupt sleep patterns, which may speed up the progression of dementia. Multi-year heat stress will likely exacerbate underlying health conditions, such as kidney diseases. We need to focus on these long-term exposures to get the full picture.”

Co-author Dr Eunice Lo, Research Fellow in Climate Change and Health at the Cabot Institute, said: “The report gives us an idea of the effects of long-term weather exposure on slow-onset health conditions, which have traditionally been hard to quantify in literature.

“With more data becoming available in long-running health studies, the next step is to model their associations with long-term weather exposure, along with other factors that affect health over time.” 

“Given that other environmental factors…are known to increase dementia risk, it follows that climate change and weather conditions would also impact cognitive health.” 

Madeleine Walpert, Research Fellow at Dementia UK, said: “Research is making significant strides in identifying more risk factors for dementia, which is crucial for advancing our understanding and improving care.

“Extreme temperatures can impair cognitive function and overall comfort, particularly for individuals living with dementia who may find it more challenging to manage their environment and communicate their needs. 

“Dehydration is already a significant issue for people with dementia that could be exacerbated by rising temperatures.

“Given that other environmental factors, such as air pollution, are known to increase dementia risk, it follows that climate change and weather conditions would also impact cognitive health.” 

Dr Aisling McMahon, Executive Director of Research at Kidney Research UK, said that the paper highlighted the lack of research evidence relating to the relationship between climate change and heat-related kidney disease.

She said: “This is another example of how kidney disease is under-recognised as a public health emergency, despite compelling evidence published by Kidney Research UK showing that by 2033 demand for dialysis could overwhelm the NHS.

“With the threat of both climate change and kidney disease mounting, it is imperative that research in this area is prioritised.”