SaralnamaToday, a study from the University of Hong Kong reveals that long-term exposure to heat waves can speed up the body's ageing process. Researchers studied health data of nearly 25,000 adults in Taiwan from 2008 to 2022. They found that heat waves increase biological age, which measures how the body ages, similar to the effects of smoking or drinking alcohol. Older people and those working outdoors or without air conditioning face higher risks. The study highlights that heat waves cause more harm to the body than previously known. Experts warn this is a serious health issue linked to climate change and call for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2024, the world recorded its hottest year, with 41 extra days of extreme heat due to climate change. (Updated 28 Aug 2025, 16:51 IST; source: link)