As temperatures soar to record-breaking levels across the United States, a new study reveals a disturbing trend: older Black Americans are at significantly higher risk of heat-related deaths. The research, published in Nature Communications, projects that by 2050, nearly a quarter of the world’s older adults will face extreme heat exposure, up from 14% today.
In the U.S., the impact of rising temperatures is particularly severe for Black communities. A study in the journal Circulation found that between 2008 and 2019, at least 1,600 Americans died from heat-exacerbated heart attacks, with Black and elderly individuals disproportionately affected. The risk for Black adults is nearly four times that of white adults.
The disparity extends beyond heart attacks. A 2023 study of extreme heat in New York City showed that Black residents are twice as likely to die from heat stroke compared to their white counterparts. Experts attribute this inequity to structural racism, which has created systemic disadvantages in economic, healthcare, housing, and energy sectors for people of color.
While global efforts to reduce carbon emissions are crucial for halting temperature rises, addressing the underlying inequities in Black communities is equally important. The effects of extreme heat are not just a future concern; they’re already being felt. This week, Key West recorded a record-high heat index of 115 degrees, surpassing the previous record by 17 degrees.
As climate change intensifies, the need for targeted interventions to protect vulnerable populations becomes increasingly urgent. Without addressing both the environmental and social factors contributing to this crisis, the toll on older Black Americans will continue to mount with each passing summer.
See: “Hotter Summers Are Deadlier for Older Black People” (May 17, 2024)
