Residents placed on alert about risks associated with increasing temperatures

Climatologist Orvin Page is raising about the health risks associated with the recent surge in heat waves in Antigua and Barbuda and other nations.

Page, of the Antigua and Barbuda MET office, was speaking at a seminar for World Ozone Day.

He highlighted that average temperatures have been consistently higher, with 2023 being the hottest year on record and 2024 poised to break this record.

He emphasized that the rise in minimum temperatures, particularly at night, is putting increased stress on people’s bodies and making recovery more difficult.

This could lead to heightened health risks, especially for individuals with conditions like hypertension and diabetes, potentially triggering severe medical issues such as heat strokes and heart attacks.

Page also mentioned that the effects of nighttime heat are being closely studied by medical experts due to its impact on relationships and driving, including potential links to domestic violence and accidents.