How we adapt to heatwaves is shaped by our age, health, employment, housing and race, finds new research
New research by SoGE's Shiv G.Yücel reveals variation in how people are able to adapt their travel behaviour to heatwaves in England.
Key findings include:
- People with routine/manual occupational backgrounds exhibit lower rates of sheltering at home compared to the broader population during extreme heatwaves, often working in highly heat exposed industries.
- Healthy older people tend to remain more active during moderate heatwaves, associated with increases in medical trips. Meanwhile, individuals with mobility difficulties withdraw into their homes.
- Medical services tend to be sought more by home renters during extreme heatwaves. Being a tenant is a known risk factor during heatwaves due to a lack of autonomy to adjust homes.
Using 13 years of data from England's National Travel Survey (NTS), the study shows how heatwave adaptation in England is critically shaped by age, health, employment, housing, and race.
In England's historically temperate context, where home overheating is widespread, remaining home can be protective if people can adequately keep cool, but can be dangerous for those in overheating homes without adequate cooling options.
For more information, please contact comms@ouce.ox.ac.uk.
How we adapt to heatwaves is shaped by our age, health, employment, housing, and race.
New research led by SoGE's Shiv Yucel reveals variation in how people are able to adapt their travel behaviour to heatwaves in England.
