Assessing Indoor Health Risks and Vulnerability of Older Adults to Extreme Heat and Ozone

As temperatures rise due to climate change, populations living within large, sprawling metropolitan areas will become exceedingly exposed and vulnerable to heat. Extreme heat is a well-known cause of mortality and morbidity and presents a serious public health concern. Although population-based studies have demonstrated associations between ambient air pollution, extreme heat, and human health, few studies focused on the differential exposure to heat and air pollution indoors, as well the role of social and behavioral factors that increase indoor exposure, especially among older adults. This presentation will describe a conceptual framework for assessing indoor heat-health risks and discuss the results from an interdisciplinary project that investigated vulnerability of older adults to extreme heat and ozone in Houston, Texas. We will also present key findings from a household survey that aimed to better understand how people age 65 and older living in Houston are affected by extreme heat and air pollution and to better identify circumstances and behaviors that may exacerbate their exposure and vulnerability.