A survey cited by Greenpeace finds that close to 80% of low-income elderly residents in Hong Kong report physical or mental distress during periods of extreme heat. The figure is based on interviews with people aged 65 and above, with respondents describing impacts during hot weather.
The Department of Health data highlighted by Greenpeace point to older adults as the city’s group most at risk from extreme temperatures. The sources say hospital discharges and deaths related to heatstroke among people aged 65 or above rise sharply over time, including a reported 16-fold increase from 2015 to 2024.
Outlets also differ slightly in emphasis: one focuses on the overall prevalence of reported distress (78%) and the proportion nearing “nearly 80%,” while another provides additional details about the survey design, including the number of participants and the seven districts selected. Both accounts frame the findings as evidence of vulnerability among low-income older people and add that stronger heat-prevention and government support are needed.
