Keywords
Extreme Weather
Meteorological Factors
Ambient Temperature
Humidity
Atmospheric Pressure
Chronic Diseases
How to Cite
Abstract
Aging is a stage in which health weakens due to multiple factors, including climatic and meteorological ones. The objective of this study was to examine and synthesize the available scientific evidence on the influence of meteorological factors on the development of diseases and clinical conditions in older adults. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA methodology. The search was performed in Google Scholar, SciELO, and PubMed, including studies published between 2021 and 2025 in Spanish and English. The PICO approach was applied to define eligibility criteria. Observational, cohort, longitudinal, and cross-sectional studies that assessed the relationship between meteorological factors and health conditions in people aged 60 years or older were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Nine studies were included, most of them conducted in Asia. Temperature was the most studied factor, followed by humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure. Extreme weather conditions were associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline, dementia, cardiovascular diseases, cataracts, osteoarticular pain, and falls. The evidence showed that extreme heat and cold, as well as low humidity and adverse environmental conditions, increase the vulnerability of older adults. Meteorological factors significantly influence the physical and cognitive health of older adults. Integrating these variables into clinical practice and public health policies is essential to prevent complications, reduce morbidity, and promote healthy aging.
References
Álvarez-Miño, L., & Taboada-Montoya, R. (2024). Efectos del cambio climático en la salud pública, 2015–2020: Una revisión sistemática. Revista Española de Salud Pública, 95. https://ojs.sanidad.gob.es/index.php/resp/article/view/653
Bartolomé-Moreno, C., Córdoba, R., & Melús-Palazón, E. (2024). Determinantes sociales, comerciales y ambientales de la salud: El reto de la promoción y la prevención. Atención Primaria, 56(2), 102852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2023.102852
Byun, G., Choi, Y., Foo, D., Stewart, R., Song, Y., Son, J.-Y., Heo, S., Ning, X., Clark, C., Kim, H., Choi, H. M., Kim, S., Kim, S.-Y., Burrows, K., Lee, J.-T., Deziel, N. C., & Bell, M. L. (2024). Effects of ambient temperature on mental and neurological conditions in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environment International, 194, 109166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.109166
Byun, G., Kim, S., Festa, N., Choi, Y., Lee, W.-W., Lee, J.-T., Gill, T. M., & Bell, M. L. (2025). Effects of ambient temperature on hospital admissions and mortality among older adults with and without dementia in South Korea. International Journal of Epidemiology, 54(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyaf142
Chen, H., & Zhang, X. (2023). Influences of temperature and humidity on cardiovascular disease among adults 65 years and older in China. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 1079722. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1079722
Chen, H., Zhao, L., Dong, W., Cheng, L., Cai, W., Yang, J., Bao, J., Liang, X.-Z., Hajat, S., Gong, P., Liang, W., & Huang, C. (2022). Spatiotemporal variation of mortality burden attributable to heatwaves in China, 1979–2020. Science Bulletin, 67(13), 1340–1344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2022.05.006
Crespo Garay, C. (s. f.). ¿Qué diferencia hay entre la climatología y la meteorología?. National Geographic Latinoamérica. https://www.nationalgeographicla.com/ciencia/que-diferencia-hay-entre-la-climatologia-y-la-meteorologia
Dewi, S. P., Kasim, R., Sutarsa, I. N., & Dykgraaf, S. H. (2024). A scoping review of the impact of extreme weather events on health outcomes and healthcare utilization in rural and remote areas. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1333). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11695-5
Figueiredo, T., Midão, L., Rocha, P., Cruz, S., Lameira, G., Conceição, P., Ramos, R. J. G., Batista, L., Corvacho, H., Almada, M., Martins, A., Rocha, C., Ribeiro, A., Alves, F., & Costa, E. (2024). The interplay between climate change and ageing: A systematic review of health indicators. PLoS ONE, 19(4), e0297116. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297116
Hechavarría Ávila, M. M., Ramírez Romaguera, M., García Hechavarría, H., & García Hechavarría, A. (2018). El envejecimiento: Repercusión social e individual. Revista Información Científica, 97(6), 1173–1188. http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1028-99332018000601173&lng=es&tlng=es
Hong, Q. N., Pluye, P., Fàbregues, S., Bartlett, G., Boardman, F., Cargo, M., Dagenais, P., Gagnon, M.-P., Griffiths, F., Nicolau, B., O’Cathain, A., Rousseau, M.-C., & Vedel, I. (2018). Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), version 2018: User guide. McGill University, Department of Medicine. http://mixedmethodsappraisaltoolpublic.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/127916259/MMAT_2018_criteria-manual_2018-08-01_ENG.Pdf
Hou, K., & Xu, X. (2023). Ambient temperatures associated with reduced cognitive function in older adults in China. Scientific Reports, 13 (17414). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44776-2
Iconaru, E. I., Tarcau, E., & Ciucurel, C. (2024). The influence of weather conditions on the diurnal variation in range of motion in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(1), 254. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13010254
Lin, W.-Q., Lin, L., Yuan, L.-X., Pan, L.-L., Huang, T.-Y., Sun, M.-Y., Qin, F.-J., Wang, C., Li, Y.-H., Zhou, Q., Wu, D., Liang, B.-H., Lin, G.-Z., & Liu, H. (2022). Association between meteorological factors and elderly falls in injury surveillance from 2014 to 2018 in Guangzhou, China. Heliyon, 8(10), e10863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10863
Liu, C., Yavar, Z., & Sun, Q. (2015). Cardiovascular response to thermoregulatory challenges. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 309(11), H1793–H1807. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00199.2015
Liu, J., Varghese, B. M., Hansen, A., Zhang, Y., Driscoll, T., Morgan, G., Dear, K., Gourley, M., Capon, A., & Bi, P. (2022). Heat exposure and cardiovascular health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Planetary Health, 6(6), e484–e495. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00117-6
Lv, X., Gao, X., Hu, K., Yao, Y., Zeng, Y., & Chen, H. (2022). Associations of humidity and temperature with cataracts among older adults in China. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 872030. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.872030
Cañón, M., Q., & Buitrago-Gómez, Q. (2018). La pregunta de investigación en la práctica clínica: Guía para formularla. Revista Colombiana de Psiquiatría, 47(3), 193–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcp.2016.06.004
McKenna, Z. J., Foster, J., Atkins, W. C., Belval, L. N., Watso, J. C., Jarrard, C. P., Orth, B. D., & Crandall, C. G. (2023). Age alters the thermoregulatory responses to extreme heat exposure with accompanying activities of daily living. Journal of Applied Physiology, 135(2), 337–349. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00285.2023
Meade, R. D., Notley, S. R., Akerman, A. P., McGarr, G. W., Richards, B. J., McCourt, E. R., King, K. E., McCormick, J. J., Boulay, P., Sigal, R. J., & Kenny, G. P. (2023). Physiological responses to 9 hours of heat exposure in young and older adults. Part I: Body temperature and hemodynamic regulation. Journal of Applied Physiology, 135(3), 579–592. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00227.2023
Núñez-Rodríguez, S., Collazo-Riobó, C., Sedano, J., Sánchez-Iglesias, A. I., & González-Santos, J. (2025). Heat tolerance in older adults: A systematic review of thermoregulation, vulnerability, environmental change, and health outcomes. Healthcare, 13(21), 2785. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13212785
Ochoa-Vázquez, J., Cruz-Ortiz, M., Pérez-Rodríguez, M. del C., & Cuevas-Guerrero, C. E. (2018). El envejecimiento: Una mirada a la transición demográfica y sus implicaciones para el cuidado de la salud. Revista de Enfermería del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, 26(4), 273–280. https://revistaenfermeria.imss.gob.mx/index.php/revista_enfermeria/article/view/647
Organización Meteorológica Mundial. (2025). State of the climate update for COP30. https://wmo.int/publication-series/state-of-climate-update-cop30
Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2025a). Ageing and health. Recuperado el 17 de octubre de 2025, de https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2025b). Salud mental de los adultos mayores. Recuperado el 19 de octubre de 2025, de https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-of-older-adults
Organización Panamericana de la Salud. (s. f.). Determinantes ambientales de salud. Recuperado el 25 de septiembre de 2025, de https://www.paho.org/es/temas/determinantes-ambientales-salud
Organización Panamericana de la Salud. (2023). Atlas de salud y clima. Recuperado el 25 de septiembre de 2025, de https://www.paho.org/es/documentos/atlas-salud-clima
Ostergard, R. L., Jr., Campbell, T., Noble, N., & Khraishah, H. (2025). Ambient temperature extremes and climate-related impacts on cardiovascular health: Disparities and research gaps. npj Natural Hazards, 2(101). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44304-025-00123-1
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Pantavou, K., Fillon, A., Li, L., Maniadis, Z., & Nikolopoulos, G. K. (2025). Thermal indices for assessing the impact of outdoor thermal environments on human health: A systematic review of epidemiological studies. International Journal of Biometeorology, 69, 1843–1866. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-025-02948-x
Qian, X. X., Chau, P. H., Kwan, C. W., Lou, V. W. Q., Leung, A. Y. M., Ho, M., Fong, D. Y. T., & Chi, I. (2021). Investigating risk factors for falls among community-dwelling older adults according to WHO’s risk factor model for falls. The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 25(4), 425–432. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-020-1539-5
Qiu, Y., Deng, Z., Jiang, C., Wei, K., Zhu, L., Zhang, J., & Jiao, C. (2022). The associations of meteorological and environmental factors with memory function of the older age in urban areas. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 5484. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095484
Qiu, Y., Wei, K., Zhu, L., Wu, D., & Jiao, C. (2021). The association of meteorological factors with cognitive function in older adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(11), 5981. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115981
Ratwatte, P., Wehling, H., Kovats, S., Landeg, O., & Weston, D. (2022). Factors associated with older adults’ perception of health risks of hot and cold weather event exposure: A scoping review. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 939859. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.939859
Roa, L. A., & Pescador Vargas, B. (2016). La salud del ser humano y su armonía con el ambiente. Revista Med, 24(1), 111–122. https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/910/91049626010.pdf
Rocque, R. J., Beaudoin, C., Ndjaboue, R., Cameron, L., Poirier-Bergeron, L., Poulin-Rheault, R.-A., Fallon, C., Tricco, A. C., & Witteman, H. O. (2021). Health effects of climate change: An overview of systematic reviews. BMJ Open, 11(6), e046333. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046333
Vanasse, A., Talbot, D., Chebana, F., Bélanger, D., Blais, C., Gamache, P., Giroux, J.-X., Dault, R., & Gosselin, P. (2017). Effects of climate and fine particulate matter on hospitalizations and deaths for heart failure in elderly: A population-based cohort study. Environment International, 106, 257–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.06.001
Wang, L., Xu, Q., Chen, Y., Zhu, Z., & Cao, Y. (2023). Associations between weather conditions and osteoarthritis pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Medicine, 55(1), 2196439. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2023.2196439
Watts, N., Amann, M., Arnell, N., Ayeb-Karlsson, S., Beagley, J., Belesova, K., Boykoff, M., Byass, P., Cai, W., Campbell-Lendrum, D., Capstick, S., Chambers, J., Coleman, S., Dalin, C., Daly, M., Dasandi, N., Dasgupta, S., Davies, M., Di Napoli, C., … Costello, A. (2021). The 2020 report of The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: Responding to converging crises. The Lancet, 397(10269), 129–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32290-X
Zhou, Y., Larochelle, L., Afsari Khan, F., & Pilote, L. (2025). Sex differences in the impact of extreme heat on cardiovascular disease outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Health, 24(20). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-025-01175-6
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.