The Drexel Climate Change and Urban Health Research Center is set to host a webinar on February 12, 2025, featuring Dr. Aina Roca-Barceló. She will present her research focusing on machine learning techniques to estimate daily mean temperatures and assess health impacts in São Paulo, Brazil, underscoring social inequalities related to temperature exposure. This work is pivotal for developing effective heat response strategies in urban areas.
On February 12, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, the Drexel Climate Change and Urban Health Research Center will host a webinar featuring Dr. Aina Roca-Barceló. She is a Climate Adaptation Advisor for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) with the Humanitarian Action for Climate and the Environment (HACE) team. The webinar will showcase tools developed to mitigate health risks associated with climate impacts, focusing on her recent research on temperature estimation in urban settings.
Dr. Roca-Barceló’s presentation, titled “A Random Forest Approach for High-Resolution Estimation of Ground-Level Daily Mean Temperature: Case Study of São Paulo, Brazil (2015–2019)” will delve into her study using machine learning to estimate daily mean temperatures in São Paulo at a high spatial resolution. The methodology involves utilizing a 500 x 500 meter framework, enabling precise health impact assessments for temperature-related mortality while highlighting social inequalities prevalent in urban settings like São Paulo.
The significance of this research lies in its application to public health, allowing for targeted responses to heat-related health risks by evaluating temperature exposure’s effects. This approach can help formulate systematic heat response plans, which are crucial for urban areas increasingly affected by climate change. The collaboration between academic institutions and humanitarian organizations is vital for developing actionable solutions to climate-induced health challenges.
The intersection of climate change and urban health brings attention to the critical impact of rising temperatures on public health, particularly in densely populated areas. Urban heat islands exacerbate these effects, leading to increased mortality rates, especially among vulnerable populations. Innovative research methodologies, such as machine learning, facilitate accurate temperature modeling and health impact assessments, allowing for better prepared health strategies to combat climate change-related risks in urban settings.
In summary, the upcoming webinar by Dr. Aina Roca-Barceló presents an essential opportunity to explore how advanced data modeling techniques can lead to improved understanding and response to urban health challenges posed by climate change. Her work in São Paulo offers valuable insights into addressing social inequalities and proposes systematic plans aimed at mitigating health risks associated with rising temperatures. Engaging academic and humanitarian responses is crucial for addressing the multifaceted challenges of climate-related health issues in urban environments.
Original Source: drexel.edu
