A new study analyzing heat-related deaths in Mexico between 1998 and 2019 found that hot temperatures disproportionately kill young people.
The study published in the journal Science Advances found that 75% of heat related deaths in Mexico were people under 35, showing young people could be more at risk in a hotter world than previously thought.
Study author Jeffrey Shrader said that part of the reason for the disparity could be that young adults who work outside might have less flexibility to set their hours and avoid heat.
“As the climate warms, we’re really going to be shifting the burden of temperature-related mortality toward younger individuals, and away from older individuals who tend to be more vulnerable to cold temperatures,” Shrader said.
The researchers decided to study Mexico because it has detailed mortality data available, as well as a variety of different climates.
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