Researchers from Yale University in the United States discovered that the use of air conditioning reduces by half the number of annual heat-related deaths in the country. The study indicates that more than 5,000 lives are saved annually thanks to the use of cooling systems during periods of high temperatures.
The research sought to assess how protective air conditioning is in preventing deaths amid high temperatures and record heat levels. The results demonstrate that access to cooling represents a significant factor in reducing heat-related mortality in the United States.
However, the study also reveals an important limitation. Despite its effectiveness in reducing deaths under normal extreme heat conditions, air conditioning does not offer adequate protection against temperature extremes. This suggests that there are limits to the capacity of conventional cooling systems in protecting the population during extreme heat events.
