Strengthening heat-health forecasting and adaptation through interdisciplinary research and community engagement
Extreme heat poses growing challenges for public health, particularly in regions such as South Asia, where understanding health risks and vulnerability is essential to developing effective responses. The Improving Heat-Health Response in South Asia project (IMPHRESS) is one of the research initiatives funded under the Belmont Forum’s Climate, Environment, and Health Collaborative Research Action (CRA).
Bringing together climate science and public health
IMPHRESS brings together researchers in climate science, thermal physiology, social anthropology, community health, and health systems research. This interdisciplinary approach aims to improve how extreme heat is measured, deepen understanding of its effects on human health, and identify the factors that make certain populations more vulnerable.
From scientific evidence to early warning systems
Working with societal actors including the India Meteorological Department, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and local communities in India, IMPHRESS seeks to generate evidence that responds to institutional, policy, and community needs. The project also brings together a multidisciplinary team from the United States, India and France.
The project combines physiological and environmental measurements, climate projections for extreme heatwave seasons, and field surveys at two heat-stressed sites. These findings will inform a prototype heat-health forecasting system designed to strengthen preparedness and support more effective decision-making.
Supporting participatory heat adaptation
Beyond forecasting, IMPHRESS will use its findings to support participatory heat-health adaptation planning. By connecting scientific evidence with the knowledge and priorities of societal actors and local communities, the project aims to inform context-specific strategies that strengthen heat resilience and public health systems across South Asia.