Getting Hot in Here: Building Community Capacity to Respond to Extreme Heat

Background:

Extreme heat is the number one cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States. Community-based studies assessing local-level vulnerability and adaptive capacity are needed to understand responses at a local level. This pilot study was conducted in Knoxville, Tennessee to assess community-level approaches to assessing extreme heat vulnerability and adaption. This study utilized mixed methods and collected (1) quantitative data from surveying 422 community residents, and (2) qualitative data from in-depth meetings with 16 community stakeholders.

Methods:

A community survey was conducted in the summer of 2022 (July-August) to understand residents’ vulnerability and adaptive capacity to extreme heat. The survey was provided online in English and Spanish. Analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 23, IBM). Pearson's chi-square and odds ratio analyses were used to examine heat-related vulnerability by socioeconomic variables. Next, community stakeholder data was collected from three ninety-minute participatory meetings held during the summer and fall of 2022 (July-October) with 16 community stakeholders (e.g., policy-makers, organization leaders, etc.) to discuss current gaps in extreme heat planning, preparedness, and response; and solutions to fill gaps. Stakeholder meetings were recorded and transcribed to identify overall main themes.

Results:

Survey results included 422 residents (18 years or older) who live in Knoxville. 178 respondents were male (43.1%) and 226 participants were female (54.5%). 230 respondents were White not of Hispanic origin (55.2%), followed by Black/African American/Afro-Caribbean (n = 61, 14.6%), and American Indian/Alaska Native (n = 53, 12.7%). Survey results found that historically marginalized racial and ethnic respondents were more likely to visit the emergency room or be hospitalized for heat-related health issues than white respondents [42.5% vs. 22.3%, 𝜒2 (1, N = 415) = 19.472, p < 0.001], odds were 2.58 times greater (CI = 1.69–3.96). Furthermore, historically marginalized racial and ethnic respondents were found to have more limitations on cooling system use than white respondents [60.5% vs. 43.4%, 𝜒2 = 12.013, p < 0.001] and respondents with an annual household annual income of less than $44,999 were found to have more limitations on cooling system use [61.5% vs. 45.1%, 𝜒2 = 10.059, p = 0.002], odds were 1.95 times greater (CI = 1.29–2.96).

Results from the stakeholder discussions found four main themes emerged related to challenges in extreme heat planning, preparedness, and response. These included (1) collaboration and coordination; (2) education and awareness; (3) access to resources; and (4) policies and procedures. Stakeholders also discussed a number of approaches to address these challenges, including creating a list of collaborating organizations and holding bi-monthly meetings, identifying trusted sources of information in the community to assist with providing targeted information, and mapping areas where cooling resources are located throughout the city.

Conclusion:

This case study highlights the importance of including drivers of heat-related vulnerability at multiple scales and enhancing the ability of residents and stakeholders to work together to respond equitably to extreme heat. Engaging in adaptive capacity research is essential for developing heat mitigation and resilience-building strategies that provide social responses and solutions to a changing environment.