Chakraborty Jayajit
Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA.
Disabil Health J. 2025 Jan;18(1):101665. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2024.101665. Epub 2024 Jun 24.
Although extreme heat has been found to be disproportionately distributed with respect to socially disadvantaged and marginalized groups, persons with disabilities have received limited attention in previous research on heat exposure disparities.
This gap is addressed by analyzing the relationship between local heatwave frequency and the percentages of people with a disability and specific disability types in the U.S. South-a region characterized by extremely high summer temperatures and greater disability prevalence.
Census tract level values of heatwave annualized frequency from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index are linked to relevant disability variables from the latest American Community Survey five-year estimates. Statistical analyses are based on bivariate correlations and multivariable generalized estimating equations that consider spatial clustering of tracts based on climate zone and county.
The overall percentage of civilian noninstitutionalized persons with a disability and more than one disability are significantly greater (p < 0.001) in census tracts with higher heatwave frequency, after controlling for clustering, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, older age, population density, and metropolitan status. Heatwave frequency is also positively and significantly associated (p < 0.01) with the percentages of people with hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living difficulties.
These heat-related distributive injustices in the U.S. South demonstrate an urgent need to: (1) include disability status in future research on social disparities in heatwave exposure; (2) conduct more detailed investigations in other regions, states, and nations; and (3) develop disability-inclusive policies and interventions that provide equitable protection during extreme weather events.
尽管已发现极端高温在社会弱势和边缘化群体中的分布极不均衡，但在先前关于高温暴露差异的研究中，残疾人受到的关注有限。
通过分析美国南部地区局部热浪频率与残疾人和特定残疾类型人群百分比之间的关系，来填补这一空白。美国南部地区夏季气温极高，残疾患病率也更高。
将美国联邦紧急事务管理局国家风险指数中的热浪年化频率普查区层面数据，与最新的美国社区调查五年估计中的相关残疾变量相联系。统计分析基于双变量相关性和多变量广义估计方程，这些方程考虑了基于气候区和县的普查区空间聚类。
在控制了聚类、种族/族裔、社会经济地位、老年、人口密度和大都市地位后，热浪频率较高的普查区中，非机构化残疾平民的总体百分比以及患有不止一种残疾的平民百分比显著更高（p < 0.001）。热浪频率还与听力、视力、认知、行动、自我护理和独立生活有困难的人群百分比呈显著正相关（p < 0.01）。
美国南部这些与高温相关的分配不公现象表明迫切需要：（1）在未来关于热浪暴露社会差异的研究中纳入残疾状况；（2）在其他地区、州和国家进行更详细的调查；（3）制定包含残疾因素的政策和干预措施，以便在极端天气事件期间提供公平保护。
