Extreme Heat in Adults.

Extreme heat is one of the most immediate and deadly health threats associated with climate change, posing escalating risks to adult health and health equity. As heatwaves become more frequent, intense, and prolonged, adults, particularly those with chronic illness, occupational heat exposure, limited socioeconomic resources, or inadequate access to cooling, face rising risks of heat-related morbidity and mortality. Nurses play a critical role in mitigating heat-related health impacts through climate-informed assessment, education, prevention, and advocacy. This article examines heat pathophysiology, health consequences, vulnerability, and implications for nursing practice and education.