Dr. Theresa Pauly aims to enhance older adults’ preparedness for extreme heat amid global climate change

Congratulations to Dr. Theresa Pauly, assistant professor and Canada Research Chair in Social Relationships, Health and Aging for receiving funding from the New Frontiers in Research Fund – International (NFRI) Program. 

As the Principal Investigator on the project, “A Comprehensive Approach to Enhance Older Adults’ Preparedness for Extreme Heat (COPE),” Pauly, Dr. Atiya Mahmood (Co-Investigator) and Yushu Zhu (Co-Applicant) will lead an international research team with partners in the United Kingdom (England and Scotland), Sweden, Israel, and Hong Kong. 

Over the last two decades, there has been a 54% increase in heat-related deaths among older adults worldwide. Addressing this risk is imperative to older adults’ health. Physiological and socioeconomic vulnerabilities place older adults at a greater risk for experiencing adverse health and well-being effects caused by increased temperatures. As extreme heat is expected to become more frequent amid global climate change, Pauly’s team aims to be at the forefront of this research. By collaborating with older adults and community partners, including local healthcare authorities and senior service providers, they will create comprehensive adaptation and mitigation plans to enhance older adults’ preparedness for extreme heat.

It is important to note that older adults are key stakeholders on this project, as they co-lead the research team alongside academics and international partners in the third/public sectors. They will help inform the research team about the resources, demands, and challenges that affect them at the individual and community levels. Findings from this research will be used to improve the services available to older adults and ensure that organizations in the community are equipped to manage the aftermath of extreme temperature changes. Furthermore, this project will also help improve community services by drawing on local older adults’ lived experiences to develop plans catered to their needs under extreme heat.