PhD student University of illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Our study investigates environmental inequities in Chicago. Using GIS methods, we find extreme heat areas are co-burdened with pollution, increasing stroke risk. These communities already have higher stroke deaths and larger disability populations. Social work practice can work with heat and health campaigns to support suitable programs for underserved populations.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
Gain insight into how extreme heat from climate change and environmental pollution affect health outcomes and related vulnerabilities for populations with a disability. Participants will also understand the data used for the research, how it can be publicly obtained, and the relevant spatial methods for the research.
Learn about the spatial distribution of extreme heat and pollution among Chicago communities. Participants will also understand how the spatial distribution overlaps with community characteristics of existing stroke mortality and populations with a disability. The spatial methods and results will also demonstrate GIS applications for social work education.
Understand implications of the research for social work practice, community engagement, and public health initiatives. Participants will also gain ideas of how practice can work with community campaigns and services to incorporate climate and environmental factors to help address health disparities and inequities among populations with the disability.
