Beat the Heat Boston

Part of paid clinical trials in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sponsor
Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)
Study ID
NCT06982339
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Heat Effect
  • Heat Exposure
  • Heat Strain
  • Heat Stress
  • Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion
  • Hot Weather; Adverse Effect

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
55 Years - 95 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Air Conditioner — OTHER
    Air conditioners will be window-mounted units powered by 110v AC.
  • Electricity subsidy — OTHER
    Electricity subsidies will consist of a single block subsidy of USD 100, intended to provide support for the electricity costs associated with operating an air conditioning unit.

Study Details

The goal of this stepped wedge trial is to assess the practical effects of air conditioners on hot weather impacts among older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: How does the presence of an air conditioning unit affect heat stress, heat strain, mental health, and healthcare utilization among older adults who did not previously have access to air conditioning? How, and in what conditioners, do older adults use air conditioning once it is installed in their home? Researchers will compare participants in arms with (A) and without (B) air conditioning units in the first summer season; this will allow them to assess the effect of air conditioners. In the second summer season, both arms will have air conditioning units, but those in the year two distribution arm (B) will receive an electricity subsidy, while those in the year one AC distribution arm (A) will not, allowing researchers to assess the effect of an electricity subsidy. Participants will be randomized to receive an air conditioner and financial support for electricity costs in either the first summer season or the second summer season of the study. * Heat stress, heat strain, mental health, and healthcare utilization will be assessed via participant survey. * Air conditioner utilization will be assessed via continuous load monitoring devices. * Indoor air temperature will be assessed via continuous data loggers.

Key Dates

Start date
May 19, 2025
Status verified
Aug 2025
Primary completion
Oct 15, 2026
Completion
Oct 15, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
100 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION

Arms

  • Experimental: Early Air Conditioning
    Year 1: Participants receive a window AC unit and a financial subsidy for electricity. Year 2: Participants continue to have their AC unit, but do not receive a financial subsidy for electricity.
  • No Intervention: Delayed Air Conditioning
    Year 1: No intervention. Year 2: Participants receive an AC unit along with a financial subsidy for electricity.

Primary Outcome Measure

Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ-IV) [ Time Frame: Difference in self-reported symptoms on HSSQ administered in the late summer season, 2-12 weeks after enrollment. ]

Central Contacts

  • Caleb Dresser Assistant Professor in Environmental Health, MD MPH
    (617) 446-3248
    [email protected]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Harvard TH Chan School of Public HealthBostonMassachusetts02215
Caleb J Dresser, MD MPH
[email protected]
6174950000

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By research site
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health· Boston, MA

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