Diabetes

How Extreme Weather Impacts People With Diabetes

This article was medically reviewed by Tess Thomas, DO, ABFM.

Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.

Rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events like heat waves, wildfires and heavy rain are bad news for everyone, but they hit people with diabetes particularly hard. If you have diabetes, your body already has trouble handling big changes in temperature, but adding air pollution and increasingly intense weather disasters can make it even worse. Research shows that a 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature can lead to more than 100,000 new diabetes cases each year.

Weather Extremes

Extreme weather events are becoming more common and more severe, thanks to climate change. Heatwaves, droughts, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes can all disrupt healthcare access, stress people out and mess with diabetes management. These events can vary in impact depending on local systems, but they consistently pose risks for people with diabetes. Studies show that natural disasters can worsen blood sugar control and increase hospital visits for those with diabetes, highlighting the need for specifically tailored weather management strategies.

Trucks are submerged after excessive rains caused flooding on August 7, 2024 in Statesboro, Georgia. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) — Trucks are submerged after excessive rains caused flooding on August 7, 2024 in Statesboro, Georgia.
(Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)

Temperature Trouble

Temperature swings can mess with everyone, but for people with diabetes, the stakes are higher. Studies show hot weather can lead to dehydration, more hospital visits, even increased mortality. Both young children and seniors, especially those in urban areas or with chronic diseases, are at even higher risk. People with diabetes struggle more with heat because their bodies can't cool down efficiently, and they often have other health issues like heart or kidney problems. With more days of extreme heat and millions of people already living with diabetes, this is a growing concern.

Traveling with diabetes in hot weather? Here are some handy tips to keep things on track.

Air Pollution Woes

Air pollution is another villain in this story. It’s linked to insulin resistance and can make diabetes more likely. Research shows fine particulate matter from pollution is especially harsh, contributing to heart problems and complications for those with diabetes. As air quality worsens, the burden on people with diabetes will likely increase. Wildfire smoke, packed with pollutants, spikes during wildfire outbreaks and leads to more respiratory and cardiovascular issues, especially in older adults with diabetes.

As climate change continues to alter our environment, it’s clear that we need to pay extra attention to those with diabetes. Understanding these risks and developing specific strategies to help manage them is crucial for protecting vulnerable populations in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate.

The Weather Company does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk with your doctor before starting any new medicine, supplement, weight loss or exercise regimen.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM