A Chinese population-based study investigated whether heatwave exposure is associated with biological age acceleration (BAA) in 2,318 individuals with a mean age of 58.7 years. The study assessed heatwave exposure during the 12 months preceding biological age assessments. Greater heatwave exposure was significantly associated with higher BAA. Using the study's most stringent heatwave definition (≥4 consecutive days above the 97.5th percentile), each additional heatwave event and day increased BAA by 0.531 years and 0.057 years, respectively.
The association was stronger among individuals with BMI ≥23 kg/m², urban residents, and those living in southern or subtropical regions of China. Heatwave exposure was also associated with higher total cholesterol and HbA1c levels. These findings suggest that recurrent heatwave exposure may accelerate biological aging, potentially through metabolic…
