Community solutions to stay healthy during extreme heat
Center for Effective and Accessible Research-based Testing for Health (C-EARTH)
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · NIH-11401658
This project will try out community and policy actions to help people — especially those most at risk — stay safer and healthier during extreme heat.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11401658 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you live in a neighborhood affected by extreme heat, this center will work with local health workers and nonprofits to identify what you need and pilot practical solutions like cooling resources, heat tracking, and outreach. The team will build data tools and a heat-monitoring system, run community pilot projects, and collect both numbers and stories to improve approaches. Early-career researchers and community partners will receive support and small grants to develop locally relevant interventions. Findings will be translated into communication, policies, and programs that communities can adopt.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people living in heat-vulnerable communities — such as older adults, people with chronic health conditions, outdoor workers, and low-income households — and the community organizations that serve them.
Not a fit: People who live in consistently cool climates, have reliable air conditioning, or are not exposed to heat events may see little direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the center could reduce heat-related illness and deaths by bringing proven community tools, heat tracking, and policy changes to vulnerable neighborhoods.
How similar studies have performed: Other programs like heat-warning systems, cooling centers, and community outreach have shown benefit, but this center's comprehensive, community-engaged testing of combined solutions is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: NADEAU, KARI C. — HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
- Study coordinator: NADEAU, KARI C.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.