Community Program to Build Heat Illness Resilience in Lake County Adults Through Education and Support Over 12 Weeks

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the HEATwise program, a heat preparedness and resilience intervention aimed at protecting communities vulnerable to extreme heat events, including older adults, Tribal members, and people facing housing or economic challenges in Lake County, California. This program is being studied to see if it can increase protective behaviors, reduce heat-related symptoms, and improve resilience over time. HEATwise is a 12-week program that includes group workshops on heat risks and preparedness, personalized resource navigation, a community celebration event, and distribution of cooling and emergency supply kits. The study will begin with a pilot phase in 2026 at three sites to assess feasibility and acceptability among about 60 participants. Following this, a full trial will randomly assign eight community sites to either receive HEATwise immediately or after a delay, comparing outcomes over 12 months. Participants will engage in group sessions and one-on-one support, with researchers monitoring changes in heat-related symptoms three months after the intervention and tracking resilience scores up to 15 months post-enrollment. The study involves regular communication, assessments of protective behaviors, and community engagement activities designed to strengthen individual and collective ability to cope with extreme heat, with participation lasting over a year.

Community Health Adaptation & Resilience Mobilization (CHARM) HeatWise