CHARM HeatWise: community heat preparedness for Lake County residents
Community Health Adaptation & Resilience Mobilization (CHARM) Lake County
HeatWise will try a 12-week program at trusted community centers to help older adults, Tribal members, and people facing housing or financial hardship in Lake County prepare for extreme heat and reduce heat-related symptoms.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 580 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Public Health Institute, California Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lakeport, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT07500545 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project pilots and then tests HEATwise, a 12-week heat preparedness program delivered at trusted community centers serving older adults, Tribal members, and people experiencing housing or economic hardship in Lake County, California. The program combines a group workshop on heat risks and preparedness, one-on-one resource navigation, a community celebration event, and a cooling and emergency supply kit. A 2026 pilot will test feasibility and acceptability at three sites with about 60 participants, and a 2027–2028 cluster randomized rollout will assign eight sites to immediate or delayed delivery to measure changes in protective behaviors, heat-related symptoms, and community resilience over 12 months. Outcomes focus on behavior change, symptom reduction, and strengthened local preparedness and support networks.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults (18+) who have lived in Lake County at least six months, are affiliated with or live within five miles of a participating site, can use a phone for study communications, and can provide a secondary contact and complete study activities.
Not a fit: People who cannot access participating sites, cannot complete study activities independently, cannot provide a secondary contact, have another household member already enrolled, or plan to be away for 15 or more consecutive days are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, HEATwise could increase protective behaviors, reduce heat-related illnesses, and strengthen resilience among vulnerable Lake County residents.
How similar studies have performed: Community-based heat-preparedness programs have shown promise in improving awareness and protective behaviors, but large randomized trials of comprehensive site-delivered interventions are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Eligible participants are adults (≥18 years) who have resided in Lake County for at least 6 months, are able to access a phone for study communications, and are willing to provide a valid secondary contact for the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants must also be a recognized member or affiliate of a articipating site, referred by the site, or reside within 5 miles of the site. Individuals are excluded if another household member is already enrolled in the study, if they cannot provide a secondary or emergency contact, are unable to independently complete study activities, or plan to be away for 15 or more consecutive days during the intervention period.
Where this trial is running
Lakeport, California
- Big Valley Rancheria — Lakeport, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Michelle Wong — Public Health Institute
- Study coordinator: Scarlet Sands-Bliss, MS
- Email: info@trackingcalifornia.org
- Phone: 510-285-5500
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.