Primary Submission Category: Population Health
Burning Up & Burning Out: How Campus Heat Impacts College Students’ Quality of Life
Authors: Sally Nguyen, Adrienne Nguyen, Mia Lukenbill, Ryan Lester,
Presenting Author: Sally Nguyen*
Rising temperatures due to climate change pose significant challenges to health and quality of life (QoL), particularly in urban environments. To examine how extreme heat uniquely affects college students, the IAPHS Student Chapter* at the University of Houston (UH) conducted a multi-phase study to examine how elevated campus temperatures impact UH students’ QoL. Our findings offer actionable, evidence-based, student-centered policy recommendations for UH administrators, in order to develop a more sustainable, health-supporting campus that improves QoL for all.
Phase I of this study included a narrative literature review to identify key themes and gaps in understanding related to climate and QoL. Findings were then used to inform semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of UH students, ensuring diversity in backgrounds and experiences (i.e., commuters vs. on-campus residents and upperclassmen vs. first-year students). Insights from interviews then guided the development of a structured survey, which validated the qualitative insights on a broader scale.
In Phase II, combined insights from Phase I were used to conduct a Photovoice study, where a small sample of UH students were tasked to document their experiences with urban heat through photography. These student-generated images served as a foundation for facilitated discussions, empowering students to share their perspectives, articulate challenges, and propose solutions.
This poster will showcase findings from all study phases. Through these findings, we strive to foster a more heat-resilient and health-supporting campus environment in the face of climate change—not only for UH, but also for universities across the country, setting a precedent for climate-conscious, sustainable campus designs that protect student well-being.