“Training in Heat-Related Equity and Disparities (THREAD) Research Collaborative” (Sponsored by the SCCC)

While not a measure of direct felt or ambient temperature, land surface temperature (LST) is a proficient measure of heat exposure, especially in urban areas. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is a representation of the abundance of vegetation and greenspace over a given area—strongly linked, even proportional, to LST.

Summary

The negative impacts of extreme heat exposure are not evenly distributed and mirror existing socioeconomic inequalities. The design of effective interventions to adapt to increasing intensity and frequency of extreme heat events requires an understanding of who is most vulnerable, as well as what problems frontline communities are facing where heat plays a role. This team will build upon the work of two previous ULINK groups, and include new expertise in Public Health Sciences, to address this question. These groups have established mutually beneficial community partnerships that will be enhanced and sustained through this project. This team will also create a first-of-its-kind learning community of faculty from many schools and programs at UM, as well as faculty at FIU, numerous community organizations, and local government, who will together support a core cohort of graduate students working on heat impacts and community-oriented solutions in Miami-Dade County.

Team

Amy Clement (Atmospheric Science), Kilan Ashad-Bishop (SCCC), Zinzi Bailey (Medical Oncology), Scotney Evans (Educational & Psychological Studies), Katharine Mach (Environmental Science and Policy)