Unexpected effects of heat on the body revealed

Australian scientists sound the alarm: global warming could trigger a large-scale mental health crisis. According to a study published in the prestigious journal Nature Climate Change, without decisive measures to curb climate change, the burden of mental and behavioral disorders (MBD) could increase by almost 49 percent by mid-century.

Researchers from Australia, after analyzing the country's medical statistics over 15 years (2003-2018), discovered an alarming correlation between extreme heat and a sharp increase in hospitalizations with various mental health problems - from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and addictions. A striking example was the abnormal 15-day heatwave in Adelaide in 2008, when the number of hospitalizations among children soared by a staggering 64 percent, and among the elderly increased by 10 percent.

Even under a relatively moderate warming scenario (no more than 3°C by 2100), scientists predict an increase in the prevalence of mental disorders in Australia by 11 percent by the 2030s and by 27.5 percent by mid-century. In the worst-case climate scenario, this figure could reach almost 49 percent. Regions whose populations are historically not adapted to high temperatures will be particularly vulnerable.

The impact of heat on mental health occurs in several ways: it significantly worsens sleep quality, intensifies stress responses, and reduces oxygen supply to the central nervous system, which significantly exacerbates the course of mental illnesses. Young people are at increased risk - representatives of this group more often work outdoors, less frequently take protective measures, and face mental disorders at a younger age.

The study authors emphasize: protecting mental health should become a key element of strategies for adapting to climate change. Without comprehensive preventive measures, temperature increases could lead to an unprecedented rise in the burden of mental disorders across society.