LOS ANGELES — A new study by researchers at Heluna Health is shedding light on why some people take action to stay cool during heat waves and others don’t.
In a study published last week in peer-reviewed scientific journal PLOS ONE, the researchers analyzed survey data from more than 6,000 adults nationwide using the Health Belief Model – a framework widely used in public health research – to examine how people’s beliefs shape their decisions to engage in specific heat mitigation behaviors such as seeking shade, staying cool and wearing loose-fitting clothes.
Bibiana Martinez, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate research scientist at Heluna Health and lead author on the study, said the study found that high scores within three factors of the Health Belief Model – “perceived benefits,” “self-efficacy” and “cues for action” – were positively associated with the likelihood of engaging in preventive behaviors.
The “perceived benefits” score measured whether participants believed specific actions would be beneficial to them in an extreme heat event. The “self-efficacy” score measured whether participants were able to complete mitigation behaviors. The “cues for action” score measured whether participants felt certain incidents – such as seeing someone hospitalized because of heat illness – would lead them to take actions to protect themselves.
The self-efficacy scores were the most strongly associated with being more likely to engage in mitigation behaviors.
“What makes these factors important is that all of them are actionable,” Martinez said. “In the public health community, we care so much about protecting vulnerable populations from the impacts of climate associated emergencies and extreme weather. This study can help guide us on how to best design the most effective campaigns.”
Although extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, it often receives less public attention than other more visible natural hazards such as hurricanes or floods. Martinez said this lack of awareness may contribute to lower levels of preparedness among the general population.
“It’s important that public health professionals continue to be vocal about the risks associated with extreme heat, and that we continue to fund public health programs such as awareness campaigns and emergency notification systems to protect those who are most at risk,” she said.
Jo Kay Ghosh, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of research and evaluation and senior author of the study, said that effective public health messaging must be tailored to reach vulnerable populations — including older adults, pregnant people, outdoor workers and people with certain chronic conditions.
This study adds to a growing body of evidence that behavioral and perceptual factors are critical to preventing heat-related illness and death. As climate change drives more frequent and intense heat waves, Ghosh said it’s increasingly important to understand how people think about heat risk, and how that thinking influences what they do.
Our research builds knowledge around risk perception for these critical environmental threats, so that we can further our mission to improve the health, wellness and resilience of the communities we serve,” Ghosh said.
About Heluna Health
For more than 50 years, Heluna Health has collaborated with community-based organizations, public health agencies, health care systems, providers and policymakers to enhance services that expand access to disease prevention, treatment, care and social resources. Heluna Health is at the forefront of efforts to research, develop and implement community-led interventions fostering systemic change and improved health outcomes.
Read more at helunahealth.org: Resource: Beat the Heat, Preparing for Extreme Heat Events
