The Impact of Increased Heat on the Physical, Mental, and Social Health Domains of Adults in the United Arab Emirates in 2024.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of exposure to heat on the physical, social, and mental health domains of adults residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where the region faces great increases in temperature due to climate change. Previous research has focused mainly on physical health outcomes; this research addressed the expansive impacts of mental and social health, which remain understudied in the region.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study surveyed 397 adults in the UAE using a structured questionnaire. It captured all the factors on heat exposure duration, physical health symptoms, and self-reported measures of mental and social health while using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) to assess mental health impact. The questionnaire was validated by experts in public health and psychology. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 28 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). A chi-square test was performed to determine the association between heat exposure and health outcomes. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The study of 397 adults in the UAE found that 331 (83.4%) are exposed to heat for more than two hours per day and 66 (16.6%) for two hours or less. The most commonly reported health problem was heat exhaustion (n = 343 (86.4%)). Other common symptoms include heat rash (n = 81 (20.4%)), heat cramps (n = 81 (20.4%)), heat syncope (n = 163 (41.1%)), and heat stroke (n = 171 (43.1%)). Additionally, the study found that 179 (45.1%) respondents reported suffering from anxiety, 141 (35.5%) respondents reported suffering from depression, and stress prevalence was 11.6% for 46 participants. The study also found that a significant minority reported social isolation (n = 79 (19.9%)), loneliness (n = 80 (20.2%)), lack of social connectedness (n = 70 (19.9%%)), low quantity or quality of contact with others (n = 100 (25.2%)), lack of feeling of belonging (n = 96 (24.2%)), and lack of fulfilling relationships (n = 87 (21.9%)).

CONCLUSION

Rising heat exposure in the UAE is shown to be associated with adverse effects across physical, mental, and social health domains. These findings emphasize the need for public health interventions that address not only the physical dangers of rising heat but also its psychological and social impacts. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider comprehensive strategies to mitigate these multifaceted health risks in the face of rising temperatures.