Heat exposure can reduce life expectancy even across wealthy regions: a UK case study

The impacts of extreme heat and other climate extremes have intensified with climate change, compounded by international pressures from geopolitical tensions that exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities and harm human wellbeing. This study examines factors affecting life expectancy in the United Kingdom, focusing on the relative influence of socioeconomic characteristics and climate change variables, such as heat and flood exposure. The primary research question explored whether wealth could offset the adverse effects of climate change on life expectancy. The analysis covered various age groups, from 0–9 years to 80–89 years, across UK local authority regions. For instance, among 40–49-year-olds, the life expectancy gap between low- and high-life expectancy regions in England was 2 years, 9 months, and 24 days (84.0 vs. 85.97 years). Socioeconomic factors and climate change indicators, including heatwave occurrence, accounted for 77% of this disparity, while extreme rainfall showed no significant effect. The findings highlight that climate change, particularly through the rising frequency of heatwaves, has significantly influenced life expectancy in certain UK regions. This highlights the critical need to address the interplay between climate risks and socioeconomic inequalities to safeguard public health and wellbeing.