Escalating Heatwave Exposure of the Elderly across China

The primary objectives of this study are to: (1) validate gridded temperature data using observational data and downscale CMIP6 projections to an 11 km resolution; (2) analyze the historical and projected spatiotemporal variations in heatwave frequency using EHF definitions, with the 1971-2000 period as the reference baseline; and (3) assess and decompose the exposure of the elderly population to heatwaves, examining both historical data (2001-2020) and future projections (2041-2100). These efforts aim to provide valuable insights for long-term heatwave patterns and their impacts, thereby enabling the targeted strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of heatwaves, particularly on elderly populations.