How extreme heat and cold affect aging and lifespan
The confluence of extreme heat and cold on aging and longevity
This project looks at how very hot and very cold weather affects the health and survival of people aged 65 and older, including those with Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11212227 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient or caregiver, the team links weather records with hospital visits, emergency care, and death records to see how extreme heat and cold episodes affect older adults. They pay special attention to people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias to see whether memory loss or other symptoms make them more likely to be harmed by temperature extremes. The researchers will study patterns across different regions and seasons and explore biological and cognitive pathways that might explain higher risk. Their work combines health data, climate data, and clinical expertise to suggest ways to protect vulnerable older people as the climate changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 65 and older, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias or those who have experienced heat- or cold-related hospital visits.
Not a fit: People under 65 or those without aging-related conditions and no exposure to extreme temperature events are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify which older adults—especially those with dementia—are most at risk during heatwaves or cold snaps so caregivers, clinicians, and public-health officials can better protect them.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked extreme temperatures to higher hospitalization and death in older adults, but work focused specifically on people with Alzheimer's and related dementias is more limited and this project aims to fill that gap.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patel, Chirag J. — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Patel, Chirag J.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.