Older Adults and Extreme Weather Events: Recommendations from the Research Centers Collaborative Network Workshop

Abstract

Extreme weather events are increasingly recognized as critical determinants of health and well-being in later life. To identify priorities for advancing research at the intersection of these events and aging, the Research Centers Collaborative Network convened a 1.5-day interdisciplinary workshop. This article synthesizes discussions across three domains: the effects of weather-related hazards on aging and health outcomes; vulnerabilities and resilience of older adults; and interventions to mitigate risk. Key priorities include longitudinal studies capturing cumulative exposures and long-term outcomes across the life course, greater attention to heterogeneity within older populations, and designing interventions responsive to social and environmental contexts.