Vulnerable, Resilient, or Both? A Qualitative Study of Adaptation Resources and Behaviors to Heat Waves and Health Outcomes of Low-Income Residents of Urban Heat Islands

Lawrence A. Palinkas (), Michael S. Hurlburt, Cecilia Fernandez, Jessenia De Leon, Kexin Yu, Erika Salinas, Erika Garcia, Jill Johnston, Md. Mostafijur Rahman, Sam J. Silva and Rob S. McConnell
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Lawrence A. Palinkas: Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
Michael S. Hurlburt: Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
Cecilia Fernandez: Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
Jessenia De Leon: Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
Kexin Yu: Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
Erika Salinas: Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
Erika Garcia: Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
Jill Johnston: Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
Md. Mostafijur Rahman: Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
Sam J. Silva: Department of Earth Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
Rob S. McConnell: Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-19

Abstract: Little is known of how low-income residents of urban heat islands engage their knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and resources to mitigate the health impacts of heat waves. In this qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 40 adults in two such neighborhoods in Los Angeles California to explore their adaptation resources and behaviors, the impacts of heat waves on physical and mental health, and threat assessments of future heat waves. Eighty percent of participants received advanced warning of heat waves from television news and social media. The most common resource was air conditioning (AC) units or fans. However, one-third of participants lacked AC, and many of those with AC engaged in limited use due primarily to the high cost of electricity. Adaptation behaviors include staying hydrated, remaining indoors or going to cooler locations, reducing energy usage, and consuming certain foods and drinks. Most of the participants reported some physical or mental health problem or symptom during heat waves, suggesting vulnerability to heat waves. Almost all participants asserted that heat waves were likely to increase in frequency and intensity with adverse health effects for vulnerable populations. Despite limited resources, low-income residents of urban heat islands utilize a wide range of behaviors to minimize the severity of health impacts, suggesting they are both vulnerable and resilient to heat waves.

Keywords: health equity; heat waves; climate change; adaptation behaviors; health impacts; urban heat islands (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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