Examining how COVID-19 spreads during extreme heat events.
Official title: The Interaction of Public Health Emergencies: Understanding Nation-wide and City-wide Spatiotemporal Dynamics of COVID-19 Transmission in a Warming World
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11046551 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how hot weather and humidity might affect the spread of COVID-19, especially for older adults and people with health issues, to help find better ways to keep everyone safe during future heat waves and pandemics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $76,275 |
| NIH project number | 5R03TR004976-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046551 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older, particularly those with underlying health conditions or socio-economic disadvantages.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without any health vulnerabilities may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between COVID-19 transmission and extreme heat events exacerbated by climate change. It focuses on how higher temperatures and humidity may influence the spread of the virus, particularly among vulnerable populations such as older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions. By analyzing data on COVID-19 cases and environmental factors, the study aims to provide insights that could improve public health responses during future pandemics. The findings could help inform strategies for protecting at-risk groups during extreme weather conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance understanding of how climate factors influence COVID-19 spread, leading to better protective measures for vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: While the interaction between climate change and infectious diseases is a growing area of interest, this specific investigation into COVID-19 and extreme heat events is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghosh, Arnab Kumar — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Ghosh, Arnab Kumar
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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.