Anyone can suffer from the heat. However, some people are at greater risk.
These include:

• older adults

• infants

• workers exposed to heat, either outdoors or in a hot indoor environment

• pregnant women

• people with chronic health conditions

• people taking certain medications

• people with disabilities

• isolated, dependent, or frail individuals

• people in precarious situations

In fact, several risk factors can come into play during heat waves, exacerbating inequality.

Underestimation of risk

People, including the elderly, have a very low perception of the risk to themselves and are therefore unlikely to take the necessary preventive measures

Physiological factors

• The body activates mechanisms to protect itself from heat (sweating, vasodilation). These mechanisms function less effectively in older adults and very young children

• Certain medications limit the body’s ability to protect itself and pose an additional risk to older adults or those with chronic conditions: diuretics, beta-blockers, anticholinergics, neuroleptics, etc.

• Extreme heat increases the risk of premature birth.

Individual and social factors

• People with physical or cognitive disabilities, those who are ill, dependent older adults, very young children, and people in precarious situations are also at greater risk because they have difficulty protecting themselves from the heat on their own

• Homeless people are highly vulnerable because they cannot easily protect themselves from the heat or access water; they are very isolated and in poor health

• Outdoor athletes may underestimate the risk and expose themselves recklessly

• Prisoners are vulnerable because they are confined in an environment that may be dilapidated and poorly insulated against heat, poorly ventilated, and they cannot easily access ways to cool off (showers, misters, fans, etc.).

Occupational factors

Workers exposed to heat indoors or outdoors are also at greater risk. In addition to the direct effects of heat, fatigue caused by both heat and work can lead to decreased alertness and workplace accidents.