Economic and Health Impact Assessment of Heat Adaptation Action: Case studies from India

Heat Stress is a growing concern in India, although the magnitude and pattern of health risks and impacts is insufficiently understood. Effective interventions are needed in a context of rising heat waves to protect those most at risk. This research, to be conducted through field studies in Bhubaneswar and Jodhpur, will: 1) evaluate the effectiveness of interventions specified within Heat Action Plans for reducing heat related health risks for children, elderly and outdoor workers; and 2) identify, pilot, and evaluate additional (household) heat adaptation measures at selected field sites in these two cities in India. The key outcomes of the research include: mapping of heat-stress exposure pathways; quantified heat-related health outcomes and healthcare seeking behaviour; assessment of ongoing programmes and policies; identification and testing of additional interventions from pilots and simulations on the built environment; costs of heat-health risks and cost-effectiveness of interventions that reduce health risks; capacity building, and policy engagement. The outcomes will be synthesized to document and quantify the effectiveness of interventions on the key domains of health risk reduction, economic feasibility, social acceptability, and regulatory and policy viability for heat-health adaptation interventions, highlighting lessons for policy and practice in low and middle-income country contexts.