The Impact of Extreme Temperature Variations on the Fall Risk Among Older People in China—An Empirical Study

Background: Understanding how extreme temperature variations affect the fall risk among older people is essential for reducing disability and mortality risks. Methods: Based on data from the 2018–2021 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), the study employs a panel logit model and a threshold-effect model to analyze the impact of daily average temperature on medical visits due to falls. Results: Each 1 ℃ increase in temperature raises the likelihood of fall-related healthcare utilization by 1.9%. A higher number of hot days and fewer cold days are associated with greater fall-related medical care use. Rising temperatures also increase older adults’ engagement in outdoor, household, and travel activities, which elevates fall risks. Threshold analysis shows that temperatures below 11.541 ℃ have no significant effect, whereas higher levels substantially increase the probability of fall-related medical visits. Conclusions: There is a significant positive association between extreme temperatures and the risk of medical treatment following falls among older adults in China.