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Cited by 1,124Urban Heat Island MitigationClimate Change and Health ImpactsEnvironmental Justice and Health Disparities

Neighborhood microclimates and vulnerability to heat stress

Harlan, Sharon L., Brazel, Anthony J., Prashad, Lela, Stefanov, William L., Larsen, Larissa·2006·Social Science & Medicine
DOI 10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.07.030
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Abstract

Human exposure to excessively warm weather, especially in cities, is an increasingly important public health problem. This study examined heat-related health inequalities within one city in order to understand the relationships between the microclimates of urban neighborhoods, population characteristics, thermal environments that regulate microclimates, and the resources people possess to cope with climatic conditions. A simulation model was used to estimate an outdoor human thermal comfort index (HTCI) as a function of local climate variables collected in 8 diverse city neighborhoods during the summer of 2003 in Phoenix, USA. HTCI is an indicator of heat stress, a condition that can cause illness and death. There were statistically significant differences in temperatures and HTCI between the neighborhoods during the entire summer, which increased during a heat wave period. Lower socioeconomic and ethnic minority groups were more likely to live in warmer neighborhoods with greater exposure to heat stress. High settlement density, sparse vegetation, and having no open space in the neighborhood were significantly correlated with higher temperatures and HTCI. People in warmer neighborhoods were more vulnerable to heat exposure because they had fewer social and material resources to cope with extreme heat. Urban heat island reduction policies should specifically target vulnerable residential areas and take into account equitable distribution and preservation of environmental resources.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.07.030

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  • Research linking intracity differences in heat exposure to sociodemographic factors has typically been done in an ad hoc manner for a small number of individual cities.

    “Instead, research linking intracity differences in heat exposure to sociodemographic factors has typically been done in an ad hoc manner for a small number of individual cities23,29–32.”

    From Disproportionate exposure to urban heat island intensity across major US cities (2021) · cites this paper as [31]

  • Warming temperatures are likely to disrupt power supplies, increase vulnerability to heat stress, and intensify health inequalities.

    “while warming temperatures are likely to disrupt power supplies, increase vulnerability to heat stress, and intensify health inequalities (Harlan et al., 2006;McMichael et al., 2008).”

    From Intersectional climate justice: A conceptual pathway for bridging adaptation planning, transformative action, and social equity (2022) · cites this paper as Harlan et al., 2006

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Authors
Harlan, S. L., Brazel, A. J., Prashad, L., Stefanov, W. L., & Larsen, L.
Affiliations
  • Arizona State University (US)
  • Johnson Space Center (US)
  • University of Michigan (US)
Corresponding author
Harlan, Sharon L.
ORCID
Venue
Social Science & Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-12
Volume
63
Issue
11
Pages
2847-2863
ISSN
0277-9536 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.07.030
OpenAlex
W2106784657
Cited by
1,124
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 105 · 2025: 86 · 2024: 89 · 2023: 63 · 2022: 89 · 2021: 65 · 2020: 66 · 2019: 62 · 2018: 69 · 2017: 54 · 2016: 66 · 2015: 62 · 2014: 45 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 40
FWCI
19.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Social Science & Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Arizona State University Library Digital Repository (Arizona State University) (submittedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Science Foundation (#DEB-94-21535, 0216281, 9421535)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Urban Heat Island Mitigation
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Climate Change and Health Impacts
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Environmental Justice and Health Disparities
Keywords
urban heat island, heat stress, socioeconomic vulnerability, ethnic minorities, settlement density, urban vegetation, open space, heat waves, Phoenix, urban climate policy
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Arizona, Child, Child, Preschool, Climate, Environmental Exposure, Humans, Middle Aged, Residence Characteristics, Heat Stress Disorders

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