SICAK HAVA DALGALARI VE YAŞLI BİREYLER ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİLERİ

Öz

Küresel iklim değişikliğinin günlük yaşam üzerindeki etkileri en çok aşırı hava olaylarının ve iklim kaynaklı felaketlerin yaşandığı dönemlerde hissedilmektedir. Son yıllarda sıklığı, süresi ve şiddeti artan sıcak hava dalgaları, afet risklerinin toplumsal gruplar üzerindeki eşitsiz etkilerini derinleştirmektedir. Berkeley Earth (2025) verilerine göre 2024 yılı, 1850’den bu yana ölçülen en sıcak yıl olarak kaydedilmiş; bu durum, özellikle yaşlı bireyler gibi çevresel stres faktörlerine karşı savunmasız gruplar açısından ciddi riskleri gündeme getirmiştir. Yaşlı bireyler; sınırlı hareket kabiliyeti, kronik hastalıklar, ilaç kullanımı, sosyal izolasyon ve düşük gelir gibi nedenlerle sıcak hava dalgalarına karşı yüksek düzeyde zarar görebilirlik taşımakta ve ısıya bağlı hastalık ve ölüm riski açısından öncelikli gruplar arasında yer almaktadır. Aşırı sıcaklıklar sağlık sistemine yönelik talebi artırmakta ve sistemin sürdürülebilirliğini tehdit etmektedir. Sıcak hava dalgaları, çok sektörlü bir halk sağlığı ve afet yönetimi sorunu olarak, kırılgan grupların korunmasını sağlamak amacıyla kurumsal koordinasyon ve erken uyarı sistemlerini gerektirmektedir. Bu çalışmada, uluslararası raporlar doğrultusunda sıcak hava dalgalarının etkileri incelenerek konunun küresel ölçekteki önemi vurgulanmakta; afet yönetimi döngüsünün tüm aşamaları yaşlı bireyler özelinde ele alınmakta; erken yanıt, etkileri azaltma ve iklim değişikliğine uyum kapasitelerini artırmaya yönelik öneriler sunulmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Afet
• Sıcak Hava Dalgası
• Yaşlılık
• İklim Değişikliğine Uyum
• Zarar Görebilirlik

THE IMPACT OF HEATWAVES ON OLDER ADULTS

Öz

The effects of global climate change on daily life are most profoundly felt during periods marked by extreme weather events and climate-induced disasters. In recent years, the increasing frequency, duration, and severity of heatwaves have exacerbated the unequal impacts of disaster risks on different social groups. In 2024, the Earth experienced its hottest year on record since 1850, highlighting significant threats especially for vulnerable populations such as older adults. Due to factors like limited mobility, chronic illnesses, medication use, social isolation, and low income, older adults face heightened vulnerability to heatwaves and are considered a priority risk group for heat-related morbidity and mortality. Extreme heat increases healthcare demand and threatens the sustainability of health systems. As a complex public health and disaster management issue, heatwaves require coordinated multi-sectoral responses and early warning systems to protect at-risk groups. This study analyzes the global significance of heatwave impacts through international reports, addressing each phase of the disaster management cycle—prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery—specifically for older populations, and proposes approaches to enhance early response, mitigate adverse health effects, and support climate adaptation among older adults.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Disasters
• Heatwave
• Older Adults
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Vulnerability

Kaynakça

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