Joyce Rosenthal, MSUP, MPH¹, Kim Knowlton¹, and Patrick L. Kinney, PhD². (1) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 4455 Douglas Ave., Apt. 1E, Riverdale, NY 10471, 212-305-2853, jr438@columbia.edu, (2) Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University, 60 Haven Avenue, B-1, New York, NY 10032

Air temperatures in cities can register 2 to 10° F higher than in surrounding rural areas, resulting in a hotter environment, higher energy demand, and accelerated smog formation. The urban heat island (UHI) effect is created principally by man-made surfaces, including concrete, roofs, and asphalt roads, which absorb incoming solar radiation and reradiate that energy as heat. Also many urban streets have fewer trees and vegetation to shade buildings and cool the air by evapotranspiration.

Summertime heat can create heat stress and other health consequences for urban residents. In cities around the world, summer heat can lead to elevated mortality and morbidity rates, especially during heat waves. The epidemiological literature has identified factors in the built environment and demographic characteristics that can increase the risk of heat-related mortality. The elderly and people with pre-existing illnesses are especially vulnerable; also, being bedridden, living alone, and having poor access to public transportation or air-conditioned places. During the Chicago 1995 heat wave, risk of mortality was higher in the black community, and in those living in certain types of low-income and multi-tenant housing, including living on the top floor of buildings.

Interventions in the built environment to promote heat island mitigation can reduce ambient temperatures, potentially reducing heat-related mortality rates, electricity consumption and air pollutant emissions, and slow ozone formation, an important health stressor. We review studies that attempt to quantify these health and environmental benefits in US cities, and discuss the techniques and potential benefits of adaptive measures in NYC.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognize the public health impacts of the urban heat island effect in New York City
• Identify urban populations especially vulnerable to heat stress related mortality;
• List risk factors associated with heat-related health impacts in urban populations.
• Define, discuss and assess the benefits of techniques for mitigating the adverse environmental and health impacts associated with the urban heat island effect.
• Prioritize these interventions in the built environment that may reduce the adverse impacts associated with increased summer temperatures.

Keywords: Climate, Community Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.