The Heat Exposure Integrated Deprivation Index (HEIDI): A data-driven approach to quantifying neighborhood risk during extreme hot weather

Krstic N, Yuchi W, Ho HC, Walker B, Knudby AJ, Henderson SB (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Environment International Elsevier

Book Volume: 109

Pages Range: 42 - 52

URI: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412017312394

DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.09.011

Abstract

Mortality attributable to extreme hot weather is a growing concern in many urban environments, and spatial heat vulnerability indexes are often used to identify areas at relatively higher and lower risk. Three indexes were developed for greater Vancouver, Canada using a pool of 20 potentially predictive variables categorized to reflect social vulnerability, population density, temperature exposure, and urban form. One variable was chosen from each category: an existing deprivation index, senior population density, apparent temperature, and road density, respectively. The three indexes were constructed from these variables using (1) unweighted, (2) weighted, and (3) data-driven Heat Exposure Integrated Deprivation Index (HEIDI) approaches. The performance of each index was assessed using mortality data from 1998–2014, and the maps were compared with respect to spatial patterns identified. The population-weighted spatial correlation between the three indexes ranged from 0.68–0.89. The HEIDI approach produced a graduated map of vulnerability, whereas the other approaches primarily identified areas of highest risk. All indexes performed best under extreme temperatures, but HEIDI was more useful at lower thresholds. Each of the indexes in isolation provides valuable information for public health protection, but combining the HEIDI approach with unweighted and weighted methods provides richer information about areas most vulnerable to heat.

Authors with CRIS profile

Blake Walker Professur für Geographie (Digitale Geographie / Kulturgeographie)

Involved external institutions

University of British Columbia CA Canada (CA) University of Ottawa CA Canada (CA) Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Krstic, N., Yuchi, W., Ho, H.C., Walker, B., Knudby, A.J., & Henderson, S.B. (2017). The Heat Exposure Integrated Deprivation Index (HEIDI): A data-driven approach to quantifying neighborhood risk during extreme hot weather. Environment International, 109, 42 - 52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.09.011

MLA:

Krstic, Nicolas, et al. "The Heat Exposure Integrated Deprivation Index (HEIDI): A data-driven approach to quantifying neighborhood risk during extreme hot weather." Environment International 109 (2017): 42 - 52.

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