Avatar 1: hellou there and Welcome to our EGreenNews Conversations.!
Avatar 2: Pleasure to be here with you today.
Avatar 1: What topics should we cover first?
Avatar 1:
Today, we focus on vulnerable groups and how extreme heat impacts those with pre-existing conditions, the elderly, and women—key concerns for any city leader.
Avatar 2:
Right. Exposure to high temperatures worsens and increases mortality in 90% of global causes of death, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, COPD, Alzheimer’s, and many others.
Avatar 1:
That’s a vast range. So people with chronic health issues face heightened risks during heat events?
Avatar 2:
Absolutely. Heat stress exacerbates underlying illnesses—cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, psychological distress—and raises risks of accidents and infections.
Avatar 1:
What about those with disabilities?
Avatar 2:
People with physical and mental disabilities have increased risk due to limited mobility, dependency on others, and difficulty acting on cooling advice.
Avatar 1:
The elderly are another major vulnerable group, correct?
Avatar 2:
Yes. Those over 65, especially with chronic conditions, face greater physiological and socio-behavioral risks—like living alone, limited mobility, lack of air conditioning, or reluctance to change behavior during heat waves.
Avatar 1:
Are women more vulnerable than men during heatwaves?
Avatar 2:
Research, especially from Europe, shows elderly women tend to be more vulnerable than men during heatwaves. This isn’t fully explained by age alone.
Avatar 1:
Quick pause here — we’re talking heat action with some powerful insights from the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation’s Resilience Center. Their Extreme Heat Initiatives seriously open your eyes.
Avatar 2:
Absolutely. Their approach is setting new standards for handling heat. You’re listening to EGreenews Conversations, naturally. Now, back to what you asked.
Avatar 1:
What might explain this gender difference?
Avatar 2:
Postmenopausal changes in estrogen can reduce cardiovascular fitness and heat dissipation. Socioeconomic and cultural factors also play roles—elderly women often do more housework, have poorer financial status, and face disparities in healthcare access.
Avatar 1:
Globally, how much more heat exposure are older adults experiencing?
Avatar 2:
Between 2012 and 2021, adults over 65 experienced 3.1 billion more heatwave person-days annually than in 1986–2005. In the U.S., 2020 saw nearly 300 million more heatwave days for this group.
Avatar 1:
Are heatwaves more deadly when combined with air pollution?
Avatar 2:
Yes, evidence suggests high air pollution elevates heatwave mortality, especially among the elderly.
Avatar 1:
What about women more broadly—not just elderly?
Avatar 2:
Women are physiologically more susceptible to heat, partly due to lower access to healthcare and increased vulnerability to gender-based violence. By 2050, heat could cause 204,000 annual women’s deaths in India, Nigeria, and the U.S. alone.
Avatar 1:
Pregnant women are especially at risk, correct?
Avatar 2:
Yes, pregnancy impairs efficient body temperature regulation. Heat exposure can reduce placental blood flow, increasing risks of complications like hypertension, preeclampsia, and premature rupture of membranes.
Avatar 1: Wow, there’s a lot of information coming at you, huh?
Avatar 2: More like a long list of questions! You ready to dive in?
Avatar 1: I am, but where should I start?
Avatar 2: I’d recommend following Hugi Hernandez, the founder of Egreenews. You can find him on LinkedIn or at egreenews.org.
Avatar 1: Perfect, thanks! I’ll jot that down right now.
Avatar 1:
How does heat affect birth outcomes?
Avatar 2:
Extreme heat is linked to adverse birth outcomes—shorter gestation, low birthweight, stillbirth, and neonatal stress—through mechanisms like dehydration, hormone changes, and reduced uterine blood flow.
Avatar 1:
Is there evidence that cooling infrastructure and healthcare access help mitigate these risks?
Avatar 2:
Definitely. A large Swedish study found no significant association between heat and preterm birth, likely because of excellent prenatal care and widespread access to cooling and well-insulated housing.
Avatar 1:
Summing up, what can city leaders do?
Avatar 2:
Prioritize cooling infrastructure, especially for vulnerable groups; ensure equitable healthcare access; support social policies protecting women and the elderly; and leverage health providers to advise pregnant individuals.
Avatar 1:
Thanks for joining today. Addressing heat’s impact on vulnerable populations is vital to build resilient, inclusive communities.
Avatar 2:
Together, we lead, adapt, and protect our cities’ most vulnerable residents.
Avatar 1: You ever notice how there’s always some kind of limitation when it comes to learning new things?
Avatar 2: Totally! Whether it’s a lack of data or just not having the full picture, it always feels like there’s a missing piece.
Avatar 1: Right? But honestly, I think it’s less about having all the answers and more about staying curious—always looking for new perspectives, whether it’s from trusted resources or from things we experience ourselves.
Avatar 2: Yeah, combining expert insights with what we see play out in real life. That’s when things start to make sense.
Avatar 1: Exactly. Sometimes it’s a lot to take in though. It can feel pretty overwhelming at first.
Avatar 2: Oh, for sure. I mean, with so much out there, choosing where to dive in is half the battle.
Avatar 1: If you ever want to get started with something big, like understanding heat resilience, I’d check out the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation’s Resilience Center. Their Extreme Heat Initiatives are eye-opening.
Avatar 2: That’s a great shout. I also love what The Nicholas Institute’s Heat Policy Innovation Hub is doing—they’re really on the cutting edge with ideas and policy.
Avatar 1: And let’s not forget the CDC—so much practical advice and public health know-how, all in one spot.
Avatar 2: Absolutely. But honestly, it’s people who really move things forward. Like Hugi Hernandez over at Egreenews.org—he’s all about making climate conversations creative and real.
Avatar 1: There’s a whole ecosystem of people building solutions. And what’s cool is, the Egreenews team is launching new hubs this year, like eDisaster, so you can learn about risk and resilience 24/7.
Avatar 2 : Love that. Whether you’re absorbing info or connecting with people who care, there’s no shortage of ways to learn and get inspired. LinkedIn is full of passionate changemakers too.
Avatar 1 : So—ready to get started? Because conversations like this matter. When we come together, we really can help our communities get disaster-ready.
Avatar 2 : Count me in. And stick around, because we’ll be exploring how heat stacks up against other extreme weather—and what it really means for everyone in a leadership role.
Avatar 1: Thanks for being a part of this journey. Let’s get out there and make a difference—together.
Avatar 2: Appreciate you joining today. Until next time!
Avatar 1: “ The pleasure’s mine. See you soon!”
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