Community-Engaged Research to Address Climate-Related Health Impacts in Predominantly Black Neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, PA

Black Americans are disproportionately affected by cumulative and compounded health, social, economic, and environmental impacts of climate change, fueled in part by redlining and other policies that have, for centuries, created differences in access to opportunity and resources. In many Mid-Atlantic communities, heavy rainfall and managing stormwater runoff is a growing challenge, with climate change projected to increase rainfall volumes and the frequency of “extreme” events. Moreover, there is evidence of significant racial inequities in patterns of exposure to basement flooding and increased home-based moisture, with predominantly Black neighborhoods, such as Pittsburgh’s Hill District and Homewood neighborhoods, often occupying areas where infrastructure maintenance has been deferred, causing higher incidence of urban flash-flooding. Further, housing conditions in these neighborhoods are also of lower quality, and less well-maintained than housing in predominantly white Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

Due to these factors, residents in the Hill District and Homewood neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by the health impacts of heavy rainfall which has the risk of exacerbating basement dampness and indoor air quality. The Health and High Water (HHW) project is a community-research partnership between Homewood Children’s Village (HCV), the Black Environmental Collective/UrbanKind Institute, the RAND Corporation, and the University of Pittsburgh and aims to investigate these impacts in these neighborhoods and develop community-relevant solutions.

Objectives of HHW

HHW has four research objectives:

1. Characterize bacterial and fungal pathogens and indoor air quality in residential basements.
2. Assess respiratory and behavioral health conditions of residents exposed to these pathogens.
3. Examine associations between basement pathogens, contaminants, and cumulative health impacts.
4. Develop and disseminate community-relevant solutions to address these health impacts.

Methods

HHW leverages the data collection infrastructure from the Pittsburgh Hill/Homewood Research on Neighborhood Change and Health (PHRESH) study, a longitudinal study documenting the role of the built and social environment on health and wellbeing in the Hill District and Homewood. HHW data collection includes an in-person household survey and environmental data collection. The survey assesses experiences with flooding, risk perceptions and flood mitigation efforts, as well as health-related information (respiratory and mental health). Environmental data collection includes 30-day continuous air quality monitoring for humidity, volatile organic compounds, radon, and other measures and dust sample collection for mold and other pathogens.

Community Engagement Approach

HHW engages community members through a comprehensive approach: Community-based partners have had an integral role in study and survey design, data interpretation, and dissemination. Trained community residents are employed as data collectors, administering in-person surveys and collecting environmental data, including air quality measurements and dust samples from basements. Participants are compensated for their contributions, receiving information on their basement conditions and resources to manage the impacts of heavy rainfall, such as information on flood prevention and response and indoor air quality. HCV’s Leadership Institute will participate in data interpretation and use findings from HHW to empower residents with the skills and knowledge to advocate for resources and policy changes that address environmental health disparities.

Study Progress and Outcomes

The project has been conducting assessments to characterize indoor air quality and bacterial and fungal pathogens in residential basements and evaluate residents' flood perceptions and experiences and their respiratory and mental health. The expected outcomes of the HHW project include enhanced capacity for residents and community-based organizations to participate in research processes, integrated datasets, community-oriented communications, and actionable solutions to enhance health resilience against climate risks.

Presentation Objectives

This presentation will provide an overview of the study design, preliminary findings, and the community engagement strategies employed. It will also describe the opportunities and challenges faced when conducting community-engaged research with climate-vulnerable communities. Resident data collectors will share their perspectives and lessons learned from their experience engaging in the research process.