Record heat in Southeast Asia impacts health, productivity, and vulnerable groups. This article delves into the scorching reality of heat stress.
Unprecedented Temperatures in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines have been experiencing record-breaking heat. These recent extreme temperatures have led to heat stress-related consequences like agricultural disruptions and power outages. In South Vietnam, whole rice fields dried up. Additionally, schools were suspended in the Philippines after temperatures rose above 42 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, across Thailand, temperatures soared and broke records continuously for 13 months!
These escalating heat levels pose significant threats to health and productivity, particularly in Southeast Asia, which is getting the brunt of the heat wave. In this article, we delve into new research investigating the impacts of rising heat. One group from Singapore investigated the impacts of the rising heat levels on health and productivity. Concurrently, another study from China examined the risk factors involved in heat-related mortality in the elderly. Amid the rising heat, healthcare professionals play a vital role in assisting patients and providing advice in mitigating these risks.
Heat Stress Affects Mental Health
The rising heat is recognised as a threat to public health and is known to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Besides leading to a range of health issues, from heatstroke to chronic conditions like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases that can be fatal, higher temperatures can also affect mental health, contributing to anxiety and depression. A survey conducted among 584 respondents in Shanghai, China, found that psychological impacts, especially emotional irritability and difficulty controlling temper, were more severe than physiological impacts in elderly and health-vulnerable people.
Another study analysed data from over 2 million individuals in the United States. They discovered that days of extreme heat were correlated with greater rates of emergency department visits for mental health issues. Thus, the rising heat is not just a physical threat but a silent mental health crisis, requiring public health strategies that address both the physiological and psychological impacts of heat stress.
Fertility Under Fire: Heat Stress Affects Men’s Fertility
Facing escalating temperatures in Singapore, a comprehensive study, Project HeatSafe, was established to investigate the detrimental effects of heat stress on health, productivity, and well-being, particularly in tropical climates like Singapore. From semen samples collected from over 800 men, the group found that extreme heat exposure between two weeks and two months before was linked to 46% and 40% increased risk of low sperm count and concentration, respectively. The impact may extend to women as well. They found that exposure to high heat during the second trimester was associated with a higher risk for babies born with low birth weight in Malay mothers. The findings underscore the profound influence of heat stress on fertility and birth outcomes, necessitating urgent attention and adaptive measures to safeguard public health.
Heat Stress and the Elderly: A Rising Concern
Older adults, especially those above 65 years, face significantly higher risks of heat-related mortality. As climate change intensifies, leading to more severe heat waves, the number of heat-related deaths among the elderly is projected to increase sharply. Research suggests that heat-related mortality in the elderly could increase by up to 370% by mid-century. A new study published in Nature Medicine delves into this issue, analysing the relationship between daily heatwave exposure and mortality rates among over 13,000 Chinese individuals with a median age of 89 years, between 2008 and 2018. The study found that mortality risk during heatwave days doubles for adults over 65.
One key finding of vital interest is that individuals with functional declines in mobility, daily living activities, and cognitive impairment face significantly higher heatwave mortality risks, with hazard ratios ranging from 2.14 to 10.212, indicating that other than age, functional ageing is an underlying factor in enhancing heatwave resilience. These statistics emphasise the need for healthcare professionals to consider functional abilities as a significant factor in heatwave-related health risks among the elderly.
The Economic Impact of Heat Stress
Beyond the impact on public health, rising temperatures carry far-reaching implications for productivity and economies. In a separate study by Project HeatSafe, researchers anticipate a 14% reduction in annual productive working time across key sectors in Singapore by 2035 due to escalating heat levels. Workers’ productivity declines on hot days, translating to approximately 24% loss of their daily median salary. In a survey, 65% of indoor and outdoor construction workers reported reduced productivity and pace on hot days. 60% of respondents stated fatigue, and 37% also suffered from headaches after prolonged heat exposure at the workplace.
The study also forecasted that by 2035, the impact of heat stress on key sectors could result in an astounding reduction of S$2.2 billion to Singapore’s economic output. The compelling evidence of productivity decline and economic loss underscores the urgency for effective strategies to mitigate heat stress, ensuring sustainable productivity and economic resilience in the face of rising temperatures.
The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Mitigating Heat-Related Risks
Healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in addressing the health impacts of rising heat levels. Here are some ways healthcare professionals can help:
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Assess Functional Abilities
Since heat mortality risk is driven more by functional limitations than age, physicians can evaluate the physical and cognitive function of older adult patients to identify those at higher risk during heat waves.
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Educational Counseling and Planning
They can provide education on strategies to reduce heat-related illness, such as ensuring adequate hydration and signing up for emergency alerts. For at-risk workers, they can encourage proper work-rest cycles.
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Facilitate Assistance
They can help patients recognise barriers like mobility issues or lack of transportation and help devise plans to overcome them. They can encourage the formation of care networks and facilitate assistance from family, neighbours, or professional caregivers. This is particularly important for at-risk individuals with low economic status who may have limited access to healthcare, increasing their risk for heat wave mortality.
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Advocate Green Policies
In densely populated cities, the heat island effect can exacerbate heat-related risks. Elderly individuals living in areas with little green space or in old buildings are more vulnerable to heat mortality. Healthcare professionals can advocate for more urban green areas, the creation of cool spaces, and the use of “cool paint” on buildings like those containing barium sulphate crystals which reflect infrared solar radiation, preventing overheating.
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Research and Collaboration
They can contribute to research on heat-related health risks and collaborate with other stakeholders, such as urban planners and climate scientists, to develop comprehensive strategies to mitigate these risks.
These comprehensive strategies can help healthcare professionals provide more effective care and advice to their patients in the context of rising global temperatures. Emphasising individualised care and considering factors beyond age in heat-related health risk assessments can enhance resilience against the health threats of extreme heat events.
Conclusion: Navigating a Hotter Future
As Southeast Asia faces unprecedented rising temperatures, the effects on health, productivity, and vulnerable populations cannot be ignored. The rising heat has severe consequences beyond public health. New research is showing impacts on mental health, fertility, and increased mortality risk in the elderly, particularly those with reduced functional abilities. The economic consequences include reduced productivity and potential losses of billions across key sectors if preventative measures and interventions are not implemented. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. They can offer education, support, and advocacy for green policies and collaborative research. The need for urgent action and adaptive measures to safeguard public health and resilience against extreme heat events is clear, underscoring the importance of proactive strategies in the face of a warming climate.
References
- Chen, H. (2024, April 10). Searing heat is back across Southeast Asia and it’s not going away anytime soon. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/10/asia/southeast-asia-extreme-heat-climate-intl-hnk/index.html
- Yuan, W., He, B. J., Yang, L., et al. (2022). Heat-induced health impacts and the drivers: implications on accurate heat-health plans and guidelines. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(58), 88193–88212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21839-x
- Nori-Sarma, A., Sun, S., Sun, Y., et al. (2022). Association between ambient heat and risk of emergency department visits for mental health among US adults, 2010 to 2019. JAMA Psychiatry, 79(4), 341–349. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.4369
- Zhao, M., Lee, J. K. W., Kjellstrom, T., et al. (2021). Assessment of the economic impact of heat-related labor productivity loss: a systematic review. Climatic Change, 167(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-021-03160-7
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. (2024, March 19). Heat stress causes lower fertility, productivity and reduced cognitive capacity: Project HeatSafe. https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/news/heat-stress-causes-lower-fertility-productivity-and-reduced-cognitive-capacity-project-heatsafe/
- Romanello, M., di Napoli, C., Green, C., Kennard, H., Lampard, P., Scamman, D., et al. (2023). The 2023 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: the imperative for a health-centred response in a world facing irreversible harms. The Lancet, 402(10419), 2346–2394. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01859-7
- Xi, D., Liu, L., Zhang, M., et al. (2024). Risk factors associated with heatwave mortality in Chinese adults over 65 years. Nature Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02880-4
- Kaltsatou, A., Kenny, G. P., & Flouris, A. D. (2018). The impact of heat waves on mortality among the elderly: A mini systematic review. Journal of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, 4(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.23937/2469-5858/1510053
