Turner on New Tool for Assessing Health Risks of Extreme Heat – UCLA Luskin

Report on the California Communities Extreme Heat Scoring System and Its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Kelly Turner, Associate Director of the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation (LCI), provided insights on a new initiative aimed at addressing health risks associated with extreme heat. This initiative, known as the California Communities Extreme Heat Scoring System (CalHeatScore), represents a significant advancement in public health and climate resilience efforts, directly contributing to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Overview of CalHeatScore

CalHeatScore is a pilot program designed to assess and rank the risk of extreme heat exposure by ZIP code across California. The system categorizes risk into four levels, ranging from mild to severe. A “severe” ranking typically indicates higher temperatures, often found inland compared to coastal areas.

Key Features and Innovations

• Personalized Risk Assessment: Unlike traditional heat warnings based solely on temperature thresholds, CalHeatScore incorporates multiple mediating factors that influence individual vulnerability to heat-related illness.
• Localized Data: The tool provides granular risk rankings by ZIP code, enabling targeted interventions and resource allocation.
• Early Stage Development: Currently in the pilot phase, CalHeatScore is positioned as a foundational step towards more personalized and effective heat warning systems.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • CalHeatScore enhances public health by identifying populations at higher risk of heat-related illnesses, facilitating timely warnings and preventive measures.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The tool supports the development of resilient urban environments by addressing climate-related health risks at the community level.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • By improving heat risk assessment and response, CalHeatScore contributes to adaptive strategies that mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Expert Commentary

Kelly Turner emphasized the complexity of factors influencing heat-related health outcomes, noting, “There’s so many mediating factors between a person, a hot day, and whether or not that person becomes ill.” She highlighted that the future of heat warnings lies in personalized approaches rather than universal temperature thresholds, stating, “They’re highly personalized — because exposure to heat and whether or not you get sick depends on factors that are more personal than universal.”

Conclusion

The California Communities Extreme Heat Scoring System represents a promising innovation in climate resilience and public health, aligning closely with key Sustainable Development Goals. As the tool advances beyond its pilot phase, it holds potential to significantly improve heat risk management and protect vulnerable populations in the face of increasing climate challenges.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses health risks related to extreme heat, focusing on preventing heat-related illnesses.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The CalHeatScore tool ranks extreme heat risk by neighborhood (ZIP code), addressing urban environmental challenges.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article highlights a tool designed to respond to climate-related hazards, specifically extreme heat events.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: Reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and vulnerable.
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Heat Risk Ranking by ZIP Code
   • The CalHeatScore tool categorizes neighborhoods into four risk levels (mild to severe), which can serve as an indicator of localized heat vulnerability.
2. Incidence of Heat-Related Illnesses
   • Though not explicitly stated, the article implies tracking the number of heat-related illnesses or hospitalizations as a measure of health impact.
3. Personalized Heat Exposure Metrics
   • The article suggests future heat warnings will be personalized, implying indicators that measure individual exposure and susceptibility to heat.
4. Early Warning System Effectiveness
   • The development and implementation of tools like CalHeatScore can be indicators of progress toward early warning and risk management capacity (SDG 3.d and 13.1).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: luskin.ucla.edu