As the days get longer and warm weather ensues, rising temperatures indicate that summer has arrived. However, summer plans can be soiled by heatwaves such as the one that has hit the Northeast and Midwest of the United States and caused seven states to experience record breaking temperatures in June. Heatwaves can be characterized as prolonged periods of exceptionally high temperatures. The heatwave that has spread throughout the country is a result of increased extreme weather events due to climate change. These weather anomalies occur as a result from an increase in the mean temperature and an increase in the variance of temperature. If average temperatures continue to rise along with a greater variance in temperature range, the occurrence of extreme and high intensity heatwaves will continue to persist.
Heatwaves can place specific stressors on different groups of people. Climate change has made the frequency of heatwaves, like the one in the Midwest and Northeast, occur more often with greater intensity which can cause safety and health concerns. Understanding the importance of the threats that heatwaves pose and how to help groups vulnerable to heatwaves and other forms of extreme weather can assist in creating a more resilient and adaptable society.
One group of individuals vulnerable to heatwaves are the elderly. According to a study performed by Nilsson and Lönnroth (2024), older people are particularly sensitive to high temperatures as it can influence the effects of certain medications and also be threatening to individuals with other medical conditions such as disease, diabetes, asthma, dementia, or cardiovascular conditions. Older people typically have more fragile systems which are more susceptible to consequences when exposed to extreme conditions. Heatwaves can more easily cause changes in the health of the elderly in comparison to healthier individuals.
Another vulnerable group affected by heatwaves are children. A study performed in China by Tiejun et al (2025) explored the exposure of school children ages fourteen and younger to heatwave. This study found that outdoor activity was greatly minimized due to the heatwave that was occurring in September, 2024. The heatwave influenced school days, as schools were having to adapt in order to reduce exposure to the extreme heat outside. With this said, children were still being exposed to the heat, more than average adult populations. The heatwave not only disrupted school day routines but also exposed the children to potential health threats to those who were still participating in outdoor exercises. Playgrounds and outdoor activities increase physical activity levels and stimulate social interaction with other children. During heatwaves children are either being denied access to outdoor activities reducing mental health or are exposed to the intense heat which can lead to physical health implications.
One thing both older individuals and young children have in common is their reliance on others to live their lives as well as a lack of voice to speak up about their living conditions. Children and older individuals may be too young, or too unhealthy to be able to express concern about their condition or simply do not have the resources to get the attention of others to spread awareness about their vulnerabilities. Along with these groups, households with low incomes or individuals in poverty also become vulnerable as well as they do not live in spaces with energy and air conditioning or they cannot afford to use the surplus energy many individuals do use during heatwaves. People in poverty or living in low-income households also lack the resources to support them during extreme weather events such as the heatwave that has hit the U.S. this summer.
Taking preventative measures to reduce negative impacts that occur from extreme weather like heatwaves is important as it ensures the safety of all individuals within the impacted region. With this said, not all adaptations can be applied nationwide as actions become region specific. Factors such as urbanization, vegetation, and human population size can all influence the severity of a heatwave and alter the measures that need to be taken. In urban settings, it is also important to establish sustainable infrastructure that is more resilient to weather changes. For example, using cement that has more reflective properties can reduce heat in urban regions. In rural settings, understanding soil moisture levels can also influence sustainable agroforestry and groundwater practices to counteract the effects of heatwaves. The environmental and societal factors that impact a region must be considered in order to effectively protect the residents who live there.
These measures should be taken as they would improve the livelihood of all individuals affected by heatwaves. However, specific precautions should be taken to account for elders, children, and those in poverty who experience the effects of heatwaves at the highest intensity but are given the least amount of opportunity to advocate for their own wellbeing. Often, people become involved in their own lifestyles and can forget about those who are living differently than themselves. It is important to acknowledge these groups and approach issues, especially when regarding public safety, with a complete perspective of all individuals being affected, whether their voices are being heard or not.