Exploring neighborhood racial and socioeconomic heterogeneity in the short-term effects of air pollution and extreme heat on medical emergencies

Introduction

As climate change continues to affect society, understanding how adverse climatic conditions impact different communities differently is essential to equitable climate change mitigation. While research has identified the potential for climate change to impact public health in terms of air quality and extreme heat, less research has explored inequality regarding how these events impact public health. This paper explores inequality in the effects of climatic events on short-term health based on air pollution and severe heat.

Methods

Using two-way fixed-effects models, racial and socioeconomic heterogeneity in the effects of air pollution and extreme heat on the incidence of medical emergencies are examined.

Results

Results suggest that poor air quality predominantly affects the incidence of medical emergencies in poor, non-White neighborhoods and has minimal effects in affluent White neighborhoods. Neighborhoods with more impoverished residents experience more medical emergencies on days with extreme heat.

Conclusion

Overall, the results suggest that extreme heat has substantial effects on medical emergencies, but there is little racial heterogeneity in these effects. Notably, the results provide little evidence of an interaction effect between poor air quality and extreme heat. The results show the need for climate change mitigation strategies that are equitable for all communities.