Cold weather could shorten life expectancy among Hongkongers, especially those with cardiorespiratory diseases, study finds

Cold weather could shorten life expectancy among Hongkongers, especially those with cardiorespiratory diseases, a study has found, as researchers call for more measures to protect residents from plunging temperatures.

The warning came as temperatures plummeted to 9.9 degrees Celsius (49.8 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday morning, the coldest day of this winter so far. Tuesday’s temperatures were expected to range between nine and 12 degrees, with fresh northerly winds and rainy patches across the city.

A cold weather signal issued on Sunday morning remained in force, and the Hong Kong Observatory advised residents to bundle up and avoid prolonged exposure to wintry winds, particularly on high ground.

The recent study, conducted by eight different universities and institutes from Hong Kong, mainland China, Bangladesh and Australia, found that a drop in temperatures would exacerbate health issues for those suffering from cardiorespiratory diseases, which caused a total of 1.4 million years of life lost over 14 years.

When residents with such illnesses are exposed to frosty weather, this could trigger reactions such as subsequent narrowing of blood vessels, increased heart rate, and blood pressure, thereby leading to a life expectancy loss of about 0.9 years, according to the study.

The paper, which analysed 14 years’ worth of death and weather data and was published by scientific journal Environmental Research in October, also found that people with respiratory diseases faced a greater likelihood of suffering from respiratory tract infection when exposed to cold weather, reducing their life expectancy by about 1.2 years.

Those with pneumonia, in particular, saw the heaviest life expectancy loss at 1.5 years, it added.

“Our findings suggest an urgent need to develop prevention measures against adverse cold effects on cardiorespiratory disease in Hong Kong,” the research stated.