Heatwaves Accelerate Organ Aging, University of Hong Kong Study Warns

A new study from the University of Hong Kong, published in Nature Climate Change, has found that long-term exposure to extreme heat can accelerate organ aging and increase multiple health risks.

Researchers analyzed 15 years of medical records from 24,922 individuals in Taiwan, assessing physiological age through liver, lung, kidney function, blood pressure, and inflammation markers. They found that for every 1.3°C increase in cumulative heatwave exposure, average physiological age rose by approximately 0.023–0.031 years. Although the effect may appear minor annually, the long-term accumulation poses a significant public health threat.

Manual laborers and rural residents were most affected, likely due to lower air conditioning use. However, the study also noted that the impact of heatwaves on aging has weakened over the 15-year period, suggesting that society may be gradually adapting through wider access to cooling technologies.

The findings align with growing international evidence linking heat to accelerated aging. A German study identified more aging-related epigenetic changes under high temperatures, while U.S. research using DNA markers confirmed that extreme heat can drive premature aging.

With climate change driving a sharp rise in global heatwave frequency, the researchers stress that heatwaves are not an individual risk but a pressing public health challenge. They call for urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen protections for vulnerable populations.