Initiatives

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have common warm temperatures, and as a result, people often do not perceive excessive heat as a danger. Temperatures are rapidly increasing worldwide and in the Caribbean region due to human-induced climate change. Heat and humidity are reaching dangerous levels, suggesting that local populations are likely experiencing more heat stress and danger than they are accustomed to. In this context, it is crucial to understand how extreme heat impacts our educational environments, places where the community spends a significant portion of their time. This study aimed to understand the perceptions and experiences of employees in these institutions and to seek solutions to better adapt to this new climatic reality. The information provide was and is essential to help identify and evidence how extreme heat affects the health and well-being of employees in educational settings. 

The study was led by the Department of Environmental Health of the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, in partnership with academic, scientific, and governmental institutions both locally and in the United States. This research project was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP)/Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA): Grant Number: NA22OAR4310545.

The study objectives were:

1) To analyze and understand the perceptions, vulnerabilities, and experiences of employees on school premises regarding extreme heat, as well as the associated risks and barriers.

2) To identify potential solutions and adaptations to face these conditions in the educational environment.