CR4HC Heat Element 2.1: Community Input
Element 2.1. Community Input
Frameworks like Social Determinants of Health (HHS SDOH, n.d.) and vulnerability assessments (e.g., sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity) (HHS ASPR TRACIE Vulnerability, n.d.) can help identify populations in a healthcare organization’s catchment area who may be at higher risk of negative health outcomes during an extreme heat event. It can be helpful to seek community input to refine and validate the organization’s initial assessment and to clarify which services – either on campus or in the community – increase the likelihood of protecting the health of community members who are at highest risk of heat-related illness (CDC, 2022; Patel, 2022).
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Climate Resilience Actions:
- Use the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) framework to structure community input: Consider following the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) framework to integrate community input into the development and operation of the healthcare organization’s climate resilience plan.
- Map high risk patient populations: It can be helpful to work with community partners to map patient populations who are sensitive to heat exposure, power outages, and other climate change-related hazards. Consider developing two-way communication systems (such as reverse 911 and wireless emergency alerts (NAS, 2018)) to connect them with protective measures before extreme heat events occur and to direct them to community services during the event. In collaboration with community groups and local health departments, “heat champions” can be designated in high-risk neighborhoods. These are community leaders who provide culturally-appropriate messaging about how to protect themselves and their neighbors from extreme heat exposure and what to do if they experience a heat-related illness (Steinberg and Sprigg, Ed., 2016).
Tools and Resources:
Data and Tools
- Heat Response Plans: Summary of Evidence and Strategies for Collaboration and Implementation: Report summarizing the science behind extreme heat, the health burden of heat exposure, the impacts of climate change, and components and effectiveness of heat response plans with a focus on relevant peer-reviewed literature and existing heat response plans. https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/docs/HeatResponsePlans_508.pdf
- HHS emPOWER Map of Medicare Beneficiaries with Electricity-Dependent DME: This interactive map provides a geospatial view of Medicare beneficiaries who have had an administrative claim for one or more types of electricity-dependent DME and devices as well as at-risk combinations data for those who rely on a certain essential healthcare service(s) and any electricity-dependent DME and devices. https://empowerprogram.hhs.gov/empowermap
People and Operations
- Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events: How Health Systems Should Prepare: Article that discusses the health effects of extreme heat emergencies and provides illustrative examples of what health systems can do to promote climate readiness and heat resiliency. https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.21.0454
- NASEM Workshop on Communities, Climate Change, and Health Equity – Lessons Learned in Addressing Inequities in Heat-Related Climate Change Impacts: Workshop recordings and accompanying materials that describe how to address health inequities related to extreme heat exposure. https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/06-20-2023/workshop-on-communities-climate-change-and-health-equity-lessons-learned-in-addressing-inequities-in-heat-related-climate-change-impacts
Funding Opportunities
- EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program: Program created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that funds community-driven projects to address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation.
. https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/351071 - Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap
References
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Elements of Extreme Heat Resilience
1. Prospective Risk Assessment 2. Health Equity and Community Engagement
2.1. Community Input 2.2. Community Infrastructure
2.3. Community Services 2.4. Coordination with Local OEM
3. Infrastructure & Operations 4. Collaboration Between Healthcare Organizations
5. Interdisciplinary Planning, Oversight, and Evaluation 6. Communications & All-Hazards Approach
