Climate Related Health Risks with Older Populations Living in Urban Areas of the UK, the Importance of Adaptation and Engagement

The global population is ageing and at a time when the climate is warming. Human populations are susceptible to the health risks generated from climate change, notably older people who are disproportionately impacted and therefore vulnerable. This scoping review explores the existing literature on older people and climate change with a focus on climate related health impacts. The context of urban spaces and community are explored, given increasing global urbanization. A lack of dialogue with older people is noted and the subsequent implication on adaptation is explored. Adopting the PRISMA guidelines, credible databases identified literature that exists within the field of climate change and gerontology within a date range of 2014-2025. The context is on temperature climates and the global north, particularly urban UK. The health risks are identified with implications of risk where adaptation is not harnessed. Interventions are discussed along with the significance of place to an ageing population. Knowledge gaps are identified and research opportunities considered. A conclusion acknowledges and reiterates the importance of effective action at a local level that empowers older people within their context for successful adaptation which may be replicable elsewhere.