Core Research Project: Taking on the Heat
The San Diego State University - Imperial Valley Prevention Research Center (SDSU-IV PRC), in partnership with Comité Cívico del Valle (CCV), is focused on addressing the health impacts of extreme heat and UV overexposure in Imperial County, California. This region, which experiences some of the highest temperatures in the U.S., faces significant health risks, particularly among agricultural workers, children, and older adults. Due to the extreme heat and high UV levels, residents are at an increased risk for heat-related illnesses and skin conditions like heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and skin cancer.
Our Core Research Project (PRC-RP) aims to reduce these health disparities through evidence-based interventions (EBIs), which will be adapted to meet the specific needs of Imperial Valley. These interventions will be based on established strategies for heat mitigation and UV exposure reduction, with a focus on community-based participatory research (CBPR) and implementation science.
The PRC-RP is guided by three key aims:
- Aim 1: Adapt evidence-based interventions, such as the Phoenix Heat Action Plan, to create a community-driven action plan that addresses extreme heat exposure and UV overexposure in agricultural areas.
- Aim 2: Test the effectiveness and impact of these adapted interventions by evaluating short-term and long-term outcomes, including improvements in community health and heat-related behavior changes.
- Aim 3: Build community capacity to implement and sustain heat illness prevention strategies, ensuring that local residents and partners can continue efforts beyond the project's duration.
Key Strategies
Community Workshops: Engaging with residents to share knowledge about heat risks, UV exposure, and the actions they can take to protect their health. These workshops provide a platform for community members to voice concerns and participate in the development of heat and UV safety strategies.
Focus Groups and Lived Experiences: We gather insights through focus groups and interviews to understand local experiences with extreme heat and UV exposure. These data help tailor interventions to the specific needs of the community.
Home and School Visits: Community Health Workers (CHWs) conduct visits to provide education on heat and UV exposure, offer guidance on prevention measures, and support local implementation of strategies.
Heat Vulnerability Mapping: We use geospatial analysis to identify the most vulnerable areas to extreme heat and UV exposure. This helps target interventions where they are most needed and ensure resources are allocated effectively.
Open the image full screen.Download the full-size PDF of the scientific poster, "Taking on the Heat: Community Action to Adapt an Extreme Heat Intervention".