Assessing Adaptation Strategies for Extreme Heat: A Public Health Evaluation of Cooling Centers in Maricopa County, Arizona

Abstract

Preventing heat-associated morbidity and mortality is a public health priority in Maricopa County, Arizona (United States). The objective of this project was to evaluate Maricopa County cooling centers and gain insight into their capacity to provide relief for the public during extreme heat events. During the summer of 2014, 53 cooling centers were evaluated to assess facility and visitor characteristics. Maricopa County staff collected data by directly observing daily operations and by surveying managers and visitors. The cooling centers in Maricopa County were often housed within community, senior, or religious centers, which offered various services for at least 1500 individuals daily. Many visitors were unemployed and/or homeless. Many learned about a cooling center by word of mouth or by having seen the cooling center's location. The cooling centers provide a valuable service and reach some of the region's most vulnerable populations. This project is among the first to systematically evaluate cooling centers from a public health perspective and provides helpful insight to community leaders who are implementing or improving their own network of cooling centers.

Vulnerability to heatwaves and implications for public health interventions – A scoping review

“…In terms of usage behavior, the case of cooling centers in Arizona was remarkable. It shows that vulnerable people did not believe high summer temperatures could put their health at risk and 78% of cooling center visitors visited the place to use primary services provided rather than to seek refuge from heat (Berisha et al, 2017). This points to the argument that existing social service facilities should be strengthened in order to reach vulnerable people and protect them from heatwave health risks.…”

“…Likewise were the effectiveness of cooling centers and access barriers related to perceptions of vulnerability, aspects of practicality, and an unclear understanding of benefits (Berisha et al, 2017). According to Smoyer (1997), many elderly were not taking advantages of cooling centers because "they are only for really poor people" (Smoyer, 1997).…”

“…This study does not report on evaluation of effectiveness. Berisha, V., et al 2017 This evaluation is the first project of this scope and magnitude to evaluate cooling centers from a public health perspective, and first step to understanding facilitators and barriers for operating a specific local climate adaptation program and evaluating the public benefit. Riley, K., et al 2012…”

“…Other studies report on interventions targeting specific ethnic communities or especially diverse populations (White-Newsome et al, 2014), or defined vulnerability according to multiple criteria: homeless, under-housed, and frail, isolated, seniority, as well as being member of an aboriginal community (Kosatsky et al, 2005 ;Kovats and Ebi, 2006). Considering protective factors, studies mention those without access or capability to run an AC as targeted by interventions (Berisha et al, 2017).…”

Technology Use, Exposure to Natural Hazards, and Being Digitally Invisible: Implications for Policy Analytics

“…Jurisdictions around the world develop and maintain strategic plans and emergency response protocol for extreme heat events that often cross multiple sectors of government including weather forecasting agencies, public health departments, emergency management coordinators, and human services units (Ebi & Schmier, ; Hess, McDowell, & Luber, ). Other programs and policies in place in many settings for reducing the health impacts of extreme heat, some of which are formalized into laws or ordinances, and others of which appear in long‐term planning documents, include suspension of utility shutoffs during declared heat emergencies, operation of publicly available cooling shelters, home weatherization and energy assistance programs, and urban greening programs aimed at increasing natural shading in populated areas (Berisha et al, ; Kovats & Kristie, ; Middel, Chhetri, & Quay, ). Concerns about the health consequences of future warming, as a result of global‐scale increases in greenhouse gas concentrations as well as regional development and growth of urban heat islands (Hondula, Georgescu, & Balling, ; Sheridan, Allen, Lee, & Kalkstein, ; Stone, Paciorek, Pall, & Wehner, ) will likely continue to motivate a wide range of agencies and actors to continue to improve and invest in heat preparedness and response initiatives in the years ahead.…”