title: Climate change and health: indoor heat exposure in vulnerable populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Climate change is increasing the frequency of heat waves and hot weather in many urban environments. Older people are more vulnerable to heat exposure but spend most of their time indoors. Few published studies have addressed indoor heat exposure in residences occupied by an elderly population. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between outdoor and indoor temperatures in homes occupied by the elderly and determine other predictors of indoor temperature.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected hourly indoor temperature measurements of 30 different homes; outdoor temperature, dewpoint temperature, and solar radiation data during summer 2009 in Detroit, MI. We used mixed linear regression to model indoor temperatures' responsiveness to weather, housing and environmental characteristics, and evaluated our ability to predict indoor heat exposures based on outdoor conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average maximum indoor temperature for all locations was 34.85°C, 13.8°C higher than average maximum outdoor temperature. Indoor temperatures of single family homes constructed of vinyl paneling or wood siding were more sensitive than brick homes to outdoor temperature changes and internal heat gains. Outdoor temperature, solar radiation, and dewpoint temperature predicted 38% of the variability of indoor temperatures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Indoor exposures to heat in Detroit exceed the comfort range among elderly occupants, and can be predicted using outdoor temperatures, characteristics of the housing stock and surroundings to improve heat exposure assessment for epidemiological investigations. Weatherizing homes and modifying home surroundings could mitigate indoor heat exposure among the elderly.
authors: University of Michigan School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Department, 109 S. Observatory, SPH II, Rm. M6314, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. jalonne@umich.edu
authors: Jalonne L
authors: JL
authors: White-Newsome
authors: Brisa N
authors: BN
authors: Sánchez
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Jolliet
authors: Zhenzhen
authors: Z
authors: Zhang
authors: Edith A
authors: EA
authors: Parker
authors: J Timothy
authors: JT
authors: Dvonch
authors: Marie S
authors: MS
authors: O'Neill
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D057231:Climate Change; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006798:Housing / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008824:Michigan; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000592:standards*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations