A New Global Health Threat Revealed 0 9

Rising temperatures due to climate change may directly reduce physical activity levels and increase the risk of premature death. This conclusion was reached by researchers who analyzed data from 156 countries from 2000 to 2022. The results were published in The Lancet Global Health.

Scientists found that each additional month with temperatures above 27.8 degrees Celsius leads to an increase in the proportion of physically inactive people by approximately 1.4. The effect is particularly noticeable in low- and middle-income countries, where heat significantly limits opportunities for sports and daily activities.

Forecasts suggest that by 2050, levels of physical inactivity will continue to rise, especially in tropical regions. This could lead to hundreds of thousands of additional deaths annually and significant economic losses due to decreased productivity and increased strain on healthcare systems.

The authors emphasize that the problem requires new solutions: from adapting cities to heat and creating accessible air-conditioned sports spaces to informing the public about the risks. Otherwise, climate change could become not only an environmental issue but also a serious threat to global health.