Beat the Heat: Impacts of Heat on Health in Boston and Strategies to Address Them
Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)
Summary
The goal of this stepped wedge trial is to assess the practical effects of air conditioners on hot weather impacts among older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: How does the presence of an air conditioning unit affect heat stress, heat strain, mental health, and healthcare utilization among older adults who did not previously have access to air conditioning? How, and in what conditioners, do older adults use air conditioning once it is installed in their home? Researchers will compare participants in arms with (A) and without (B) air conditioning units in the first summer season; this will allow them to assess the effect of air conditioners. In the second summer season, both arms will have air conditioning units, but those in the year two distribution arm (B) will receive an electricity subsidy, while those in the year one AC distribution arm (A) will not, allowing researchers to assess the effect of an electricity subsidy. Participants will be randomized to receive an air conditioner and financial support for electricity costs in either the first summer season or the second summer season of the study. * Heat stress, heat strain, mental health, and healthcare utilization will be assessed via participant survey. * Air conditioner utilization will be assessed via continuous load monitoring devices. * Indoor air temperature will be assessed via continuous data loggers.
Description
This community-based, randomized stepped wedge trial investigates whether the provision of educational resources and air conditioning (AC) improves thermal comfort and health outcomes among older adults with chronic disease and material hardships. The study will enroll 100 participants residing in at risk neighborhoods. Eligibility criteria include adults aged 55-95 who speak English or Spanish, lack access to home cooling systems, and have at least one qualifying chronic health condition or a history of recent hospitalization (see Eligibility section) . Participants will be randomly assigned…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 55–95 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * reside in Roxbury, Dorchester, East Boston or Mattapan MA * age 55-95 years old * speak English or Spanish * do not have air conditioning in the home * living with at least one of the following conditions: chronic CVD (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, history of stroke or myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, or heart failure), chronic pulmonary disease (asthma, COPD/emphysema, interstitial lung disease), chronic neurologic disease (stroke, Parkinson's disease, or other chronic neurologic conditions), chronic mental health conditions (including anxiety disor…
Interventions
- OtherAir Conditioner
Air conditioners will be window-mounted units powered by 110v AC.
- OtherElectricity subsidy
Electricity subsidies will consist of a single block subsidy of USD 100, intended to provide support for the electricity costs associated with operating an air conditioning unit.
Location
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public HealthBoston, Massachusetts