Extreme heat is a major threat posed by climate change in Australia, with potential mental health implications that are often overlooked. A recent study has shown that rising temperatures in Australia are already affecting living and working conditions, and as climate change worsens, the burden of mental and behavioral disorders (MBDs) may increase.
MBDs encompass a wide range of issues, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, alcohol and drug use disorders, and other mental and substance use disorders. Projections indicate that if global warming is not limited to below 3 degrees Celsius by 2100, the relative burden of MBDs could increase by 11 percent in the 2030s and 27.5 percent in the 2050s. Without significant efforts to mitigate global warming, the burden of MBDs could rise to nearly 49 percent by 2050.
Senior author Peng Bi, a researcher of environmental health from the University of Adelaide, emphasizes the growing recognition of the detrimental impacts of climate change on mental health. From mild distress to serious conditions like schizophrenia, rising temperatures are making life harder for millions, especially young people who are at higher risk as the climate crisis escalates.
The study, based on health data from all states and territories in Australia between 2003 and 2018, shows that MDS-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits increased during high temperature events. While these heatwaves were not fatal for those with MBDs, they significantly affected the years spent in full health.
In a 2008 heatwave in Adelaide, a 64 percent increase in MDS-related hospitalizations among children and a 10 percent increase among those aged 75 and over were observed. Scientists are still investigating how extreme heat affects mental health, considering factors like changes in blood temperature impacting oxygen flow to the central nervous system, disruptions to sleep patterns, and stress responses.
Currently, nearly 44 percent of Australians aged 16 to 85 experience MBDs at some point in their lives, amounting to approximately 8.6 million individuals. While the annual absolute risk of heat-related hospitalizations for this group is low, continued global warming could double that risk by 2050.
Interestingly, recent studies suggest that young people may be more vulnerable to heatwaves than the elderly, as they are less likely to take precautions and often work outside in hot conditions. The analysis led by public health researcher Jingwen Liu emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of how high temperatures impact mental health to empower healthcare professionals to safeguard communities in the face of ongoing and accelerating global warming.
The study was published in Nature Climate Change and sheds light on the urgent need to address the mental health implications of climate change in Australia.
