Medical School - Australian National University (ANU) School of Medicine and Psychology, ANU College of Health and Medicine, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Rural Clinical School, Australian National University (ANU) School of Medicine and Psychology, ANU College of Health and Medicine, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Aust J Rural Health. 2024 Apr;32(2):216-226. doi: 10.1111/ajr.13094. Epub 2024 Feb 28.
Extreme heat causes a major health burden, especially for older Australians.
To assess the impact of extreme heat on older regional and rural Australians, including clinical presentations, social implications, and health-seeking behaviours and adaptations.
A systematic review and narrative synthesis.
Ten articles were included in the review with research on this topic limited. Extreme heat causes an increase in mortality and ambulance dispatches for older rural Australians. Social connectedness is negatively affected by extreme heat due to cancellation of events and individuals becoming housebound. Air conditioning is the main cooling mechanism used, although cost is a major concern. Despite this, older rural populations display a depth of knowledge regarding practical behavioural responses to adapt to extreme heat. Studies show older rural Australians do not consider extreme heat to be a threat to health.
Further research needs to examine the role extreme heat may play in contributing to experiences of loneliness. Air conditioning cannot be the ultimate solution in responding to extreme heat due to cost and increased carbon emissions. The low-risk perception of extreme heat for older rural people may inform effective heat health warnings and effective use of primary health care in heat-health education. Listening to First Nations knowledge in dealing with heat may provide a powerful mechanism in which to protect health.
The extensive health effects of extreme heat highlights the necessity of further research and strengthening of services in preparation for an ageing rural population enduring climate change.
极端高温对健康造成严重负担，尤其是对澳大利亚的老年人。
评估极端高温对澳大利亚老年地区和农村居民的影响，包括临床表现、社会影响以及健康寻求行为和适应措施。
系统评价和叙述性综述。
共纳入了 10 篇关于该主题的文章，研究有限。极端高温导致澳大利亚农村老年人的死亡率和救护车派遣增加。由于活动取消和人们被困在家中，社会联系受到极端高温的负面影响。空调是主要的冷却机制，尽管成本是一个主要问题。尽管如此，老年农村人口对适应极端高温的实际行为反应表现出了深刻的认识。研究表明，澳大利亚农村老年人并不认为极端高温对健康构成威胁。
需要进一步研究极端高温可能在导致孤独感方面所起的作用。由于成本和碳排放增加，空调不可能成为应对极端高温的最终解决方案。农村老年人对极端高温的低风险认知可能为有效的高温健康警报以及在高温健康教育中有效利用初级保健提供信息。倾听原住民在应对高温方面的知识可能是保护健康的有力机制。
极端高温对健康的广泛影响凸显了进一步研究和加强服务的必要性，以应对气候变化下的老龄化农村人口。
