2025/07/25 by YunJae Ock, Vivek Shandas
Environmental Science · Medicine · #Air Quality and Health Impacts #Climate Change and Health Impacts #Thermoregulation and physiological responses
paper · doi:10.1080/07352166.2025.2526491
openalex publication_date 2025/07/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Few scholars have examined the role of heat exposure duration, which arguably has an equal if not more encompassing detriment to human health compared to heat intensity. To understand whether some urban neighborhoods endure longer periods of extreme heat, this study builds on research that illustrates differences in heat intensity and examines local built environment characteristics. Using a unique, high spatial and temporal resolution dataset of ambient temperatures across 34 U.S. cities, this study examines differential durations of exposure. This study asks: (1) Are historically segregated urban neighborhoods associated with higher exposure to afternoon and evening air temperatures? (2) To what extent do those living in historically segregated neighborhoods experience longer periods of heat exposure? Results reveal that historically segregated neighborhoods face higher air temperatures in afternoon and evening periods, and experience longer durations of higher temperatures. The findings suggest that green space, a known factor in cool neighborhoods, helps explain differences in exposure to heat duration. By incorporating heat exposure duration, this study contributes to existing literature, which focuses largely on heat intensity, and provides a measure for planning and public health policies.