UC researchers work to understand how extreme heat impacts older adults

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine researchers are working to understand how extreme summer heat affects older adults’ health, as reported by 91.7 WXVU News recently. 

George Leikauf, PhD, co-director of UC's Center for Collaboration on Climate and Community for Health (C4H), is leading a study to track the health of older Cincinnatians who live without air conditioning during heat waves.

Approximately 2,000 households in Hamilton County lack any form of air conditioning, according to U.S. Census data.

“That's a concern for the people of Cincinnati, and it's a particular concern for the elderly," said Leikauf, a professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine within the Department of Internal Medicine. “Being 75 myself, we cannot adjust to temperature differences as well as younger people can, so it's a strain on our body in multiple ways — the respiratory tract, the heart, the kidneys and mental activity can be affected by high temperature.”

Older adults are more vulnerable to health problems from prolonged exposure to extreme heat, including heat stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Leikauf says the study focuses on Lower Price Hill, Avondale and other historically disadvantaged neighborhoods where air conditioning might not be affordable for everyone.

Researchers will follow participants through the summer, tracking their sleep, heart rate and other health data during heat waves. They’ll use Oura Rings, a wearable technology like a Fitbit, to collect health data.

“We're looking for changes in sleep pattern or other things like the way your heart works," said Leikauf.

Researchers will also install temperature and humidity monitors in participants’ homes.

Leikauf says they’ll translate the information they collect into actions that improve people's health.

"In this case, it might be that air conditioning is becoming almost a requirement for living here," said Leikauf. "If so, we accept the fact that heating is a requirement for renting an apartment; we might have to consider air conditioning as a requirement for renting an apartment."

He said he hopes the study shows Cincinnati has a health problem, but one that can be addressed.

Listen to the full 91.7 WVXU News report.

Featured image at top: iStock/David Petrus Ibars.