78% of low-income elderly Hongkongers report heat-related distress: survey
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A survey by Greenpeace has revealed that 78% of low-income elderly Hongkongers experience heat-related distress, highlighting a growing public health crisis as the city faces increasingly extreme temperatures. The study, which interviewed 127 residents aged 65 or above across seven districts, found that many older adults lack awareness of heat-prevention measures and avoid using air conditioning due to cost concerns. Data from the Department of Health shows heatstroke-related outcomes among elderly residents surged dramatically over the past decade, with Hong Kong recently recording its highest-ever temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius.
Key Points
- Greenpeace surveyed 127 elderly residents aged 65 or above in seven districts with rapidly ageing populations, including Kwai Tsing, Wong Tai Sin, and Kowloon City
- The number of heatstroke hospital discharges and deaths among those 65 or above rose 16-fold from 4 to 68 between 2015 and 2024
- 78% of respondents reported physical discomfort including dizziness, headaches, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and racing heartbeat during extreme heat
- 35% of elderly respondents said they never or rarely turned on air conditioning during extreme heat to avoid high electricity costs
- Hong Kong recorded a maximum temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius earlier this month, the highest since records began in 1884
Why It Matters
The sharp increase in heat-related health outcomes among elderly residents underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions as climate change intensifies extreme weather events. With an ageing population and widening income inequality, vulnerable seniors face disproportionate risks from record-breaking temperatures while lacking resources for adequate protection .
The sharp increase in heat-related health outcomes among elderly residents underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions as climate change intensifies extreme weather events. With an ageing population and widening income inequality, vulnerable seniors face disproportionate risks from record-breaking temperatures while lacking resources for adequate protection .