Changing behavioral responses to heat risk in a warming world: How can communication approaches be improved?

Abstract

Heat risks, such as those associated with heatwaves, are increasing in frequency, severity, and duration due to climate change. The ways in which people around the globe perceive and respond to heat risks are now of great importance to reduce a range of negative health outcomes. A growing body of literature aims to assess the factors that influence people's behaviors in relation to heat risks. This research can inform better interventions, such as improved communications approaches, that attempt to facilitate adaptive behavioral responses to such risks. This review focuses on how insights from behavioral and attitudinal studies about heat risk responses can inform communication approaches. These insights are organized into three key themes: (1) Behaviors-What types of actions can be taken by people, and what evidence is there for adaptive behavior? (2) Antecedents-Which individual and contextual factors can influence people's behaviors? (3) Communications-How can existing insights be better integrated into interventions? Aspects of communication, including the role of message characteristics, messenger, and imagery, are discussed, with examples of messages and narratives that target influential antecedents of adaptive responses to heat risks. The paper makes three important contributions. First, it organizes literature on the antecedents and behavioral responses to heat risk; second, it provides a typology of the range of heat risk behaviors; and, third, it discusses how antecedents can be integrated into communication interventions. The review concludes with a proposed agenda for research, highlighting the need for substantial testing and evaluation of heat risk communication, applying insights from the literature.

Health Perceptions of Adverse Weather in Older Adults in England: Analysis of 2019/20 Survey Data

“…Existing literature shows there to be a north south divide in projected heat related deaths in England(33), although another study reported greater mortality associated with cold in northern and western regions(12). A previous study showed residents in the North of the UK were less likely to avoid the sun or walk in the shade(34). Older adults in the South of England may be more familiar with modifying their behaviour during hot weather, influencing their perception of health risks.…”

Heat Risk Perceptions and Coping Strategies of the Unhoused

“…The significance of subjective norms, which was only significant in this enhanced model, implies that the social influences and perceived expectations from others within the unhoused community play a crucial role in shaping intentions related to avoiding extreme heat [ 36 ]. Perhaps communal dynamics and shared beliefs influence individual decisions regarding heat mitigation strategies [ 37 ]. It is noted that unhoused individuals often rely on other peers who are unhoused for important information [ 38 ], and understanding how social capital is navigated in times of extreme weather events within the unhoused community warrants more attention.…”

“…Practical application suggestions include developing targeted health communication programs for the unhoused, integrating social influences, perceived control, and clear communication strategies. Overall, these findings guide the development of context-specific initiatives derived from TPB that address the distinct needs of both populations, promoting effective heat mitigation and enhancing overall community resilience in the face of extreme heat events [ 37 ]. Our findings contribute to the broader literature on climate mitigation, vulnerability, and risk communication by providing empirical evidence on the specific needs of unhoused populations in the face of extreme heat.…”

Research to Confront Climate Change Complexity: Intersectionality, Integration, and Innovative Governance

“…Second, climate change research needs to include the social services and systems that people, especially structurally marginalized groups, most rely on to survive, such as access to affordable housing, safe drinking water, health/elder/child care, fresh foods, and community networks. Most existing modeling has focused on physical infrastructure and environmental processes, not integrating sociopolitical, perceptional, and behavioral influences on decision‐making and adaptation (Beckage et al., 2020; Callaghan et al., 2020; Howe et al., 2019; McCollum et al., 2018; McLoughlin et al., 2023; Moore et al., 2022; Palmer & Smith, 2014; Reed et al., 2022; Rising et al., 2022). These choices, in net, prioritize attention and funding on property owners, property damages, and liabilities for insurers and lenders (Keenan, 2019) over concerns of environmental health and housing affordability.…”