Severe weather exposure increases long-term mortality risk in older adults

Severe weather exposure increases long-term mortality risk in older adults

Severe weather events have long-term health consequences for vulnerable older people, according to a study in the World Health OrganizationJournal of the American Geriatrics Societybased on data after Hurricane Harvey.

When they analyzed Medicare claims data for nearly 1.8 million beneficiaries aged ≥65 years in Texas and Louisiana, investigators found that older adults who experienced heavy rainfall during Hurricane Harvey had a 3% increased risk of dying within a year of the hurricane. The risk of mortality was highest among people with chronic health problems that required regular care, including chronic kidney disease and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The largest number of attributed deaths were among the population suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: an estimated 1,245 deaths in the year following Hurricane Harvey.

Additionally, Black and Hispanic/Latino populations were at 6% and 13% higher risk of mortality, respectively, than other groups, highlighting disparities in vulnerability to disasters.

These findings are further evidence that disasters cause more than just short-term disruptions. They reveal and reinforce the underlying weaknesses of our healthcare system. For older people who rely on consistent care, even a temporary loss can have lasting consequences.”

Sue Anne Bell, PhD, corresponding author, University of Michigan

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