Protecting Lives in an Era of Rising Temperatures

 

As global temperatures continue to rise, extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and severe, posing significant threats to public health and safety. Our Heat-Health Risk Index integrates geospatial data, health analytics, and predictive modeling to help communities, policymakers, and emergency responders anticipate and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat. 

​​

​

What is the Heat-Health Risk Index?  

 

Developed with initial funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Heat-Health Risk Index combines environmental, demographic, and health data to identify areas and populations most at risk from exposure to extreme heat. This tool provides insights at a granular level, from Census tracts to individual buildings, enabling tailored interventions that save lives.

​

Key Features:

​

• Granular Risk Assessment: Models heat-related health risks down to the building level, accounting for factors such as solar radiation exposure on upper floors and the availability of cooling resources.

• Predictive Capabilities: Forecasts hospitalizations and fatalities during extreme heat events, helping health systems allocate resources effectively.

• Scenario Analysis: Assesses risks under various conditions, such as prolonged heatwaves or power outages, to inform emergency planning.

• Interactive Visualization: Accessible through the GeoMD Platform, offering intuitive maps and analytics to empower decision-makers.

​

To request the Engineering Report from he initial pilot for the Heat-Health Risk Index performed in Northern Manhattan, please contact us at Impact@HSR.health​.

​​

​

Real-World Applications 

 

The Heat-Health Risk Index was piloted in northern Manhattan, New York City, and demonstrated its ability to:

 

• Identify high-risk populations and neighborhoods.

• Support the strategic placement of cooling centers to ensure access within walking distance for vulnerable residents.

• Predict increased hospitalizations during extreme heat events, enabling hospitals to prepare for surges in demand.

• Highlight the risks associated with specific building types, such as tall residential buildings, where upper floors face higher heat exposure.

 

Why It Matters  

 

Extreme heat is now the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, with the impacts disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with preexisting conditions. The Heat-Health Risk Index empowers communities to take proactive steps, from deploying cooling infrastructure to designing educational campaigns that inform and protect at-risk populations.

 

Expanding the Impact  

 

Based on the success of the Heat-Health Risk Index in urban environments like New York City, we are expanding its use to: 

​

• Rural and Suburban Areas to addressing the unique challenges of less densely populated regions, which often have fewer healthcare facilities.

• Integration with generative AI to simplify data interaction and provide actionable insights for users across sectors.

• Leveraging Synthetic Digital Twin approach to project potential health risks in future years based on the U.N. Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) - an effort we are doing in collaboration with long-time partner, Skymantics. 

​​

​