Health Impacts Due to Major Climate and Weather Extremes

Mental Health and Weather Extremes in a Southeastern U.S. City: Exploring Group Differences by Race

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17103411 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (10) ◽

pp. 3411

Author(s):

Lisa Reyes Mason ◽

Bonita B. Sharma ◽

Jayme E. Walters ◽

Christine C. Ekenga

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Mental Health ◽

Physical Health ◽

Heat Waves ◽

Sample Survey ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Health Concern ◽

Winter Weather ◽

Weather Extremes ◽

Summer Heat

The connection between mental health and weather extremes is a public health concern, but less studied to date than physical health. This exploratory study examines the mental health impacts of two kinds of weather extremes increasingly linked to climate change—summer heat waves and extreme winter weather—in a low- to middle-income population in the Southeastern U.S. The distribution of mental health impacts, and potential pathways to them, are examined with a focus on race. Data are from a random-sample survey of 426 participants and are analyzed with bivariate statistics and path analysis. Self-reported mental health impacts, in both seasons, were common in our study, with White participants tending to report worse impacts than participants who identified with other racial groups. Physical health had direct effects on mental health across several models, overall and by racial group. For summer heat waves, concern about climate change and social cohesion had direct and indirect effects, respectively, on mental health in White participants only. For extreme winter weather, preparedness had a direct negative effect on mental health in White, but not Black, participants. Results suggest that there may be racial differences in the influence of human and social capital factors on mental health related to weather extremes, warranting further study of this critical topic and with larger racial subgroup samples.

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Keeping Each Other Safe: Who Checks on Their Neighbors During Weather Extremes in Summer and Winter?

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2021.175 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Lisa Reyes Mason ◽

Christine C. Ekenga

Keyword(s):

Health Impacts ◽

Social Connections ◽

Future Research ◽

Winter Weather ◽

Weather Extremes ◽

Target Groups ◽

Community Based ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Summer Heat ◽

Initial Target

Abstract Objective: Weather extremes are increasing with climate change and associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Promotion of social connections is an emerging area of research and practice for risk reduction during weather extremes. This study examines the practice of checking on neighbors during extreme summer heat and extreme winter weather. Objectives are to (1) describe the extent of neighbor checking during these extremes, and (2) examine factors associated with neighbor checking. Methods: We analyze survey data (n = 442) from a primarily low- and moderate- income study sample in a Southeastern U.S. city, using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: About 17.6% of participants checked on neighbors during extreme summer heat, and 25.2% did so during extreme winter weather. Being middle or older aged and having more adverse physical health impacts were positively associated with neighbor checking, for both extremes. For winter only, having less education was positively associated with neighbor checking. Conclusions: Community-based partnerships for reducing risk during weather extremes may consider people who are older or have experienced their own adverse health impacts as initial target groups for promoting neighbor checking. Future research should also examine the motivations for, details about, and impacts of neighbor checking in greater depth.

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