CSI’s Inequality Discussion Groups bring together Cornell faculty and graduate students from around campus to discuss and improve their in-progress research.

Álvaro Padilla-Pozo  (Sociology, Cornell)

Title: Revisiting the Social Autopsy of a Heat Wave: Social Isolation, Loneliness, Reclusiveness, and Heat Stress during Heat Waves

Abstract: The frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves is increasing. Evidence suggests that heat-related health outcomes are unequally distributed across social groups. However, our knowledge about the social mechanisms driving these inequalities is limited. Social networks could provide access to critical resources during heat waves, reducing individuals’ risk of heat-related mortality and morbidity. Research focusing on the relationship between social networks and heat stress has focused on the role of social isolation (an absence of ties), but evidence is mixed. Further, there are other aspects of isolation that could contribute to higher heat stress about which we know less. Among those who have social ties, the extent to which they live in the same area could be critical for access to support. Similarly, individuals who feel lonely or are reclusive (spend most time at home) may have difficulty asking for or receiving help from their networks. I address these gaps in the literature by describing how availability and spatial proximity to strong social ties, feelings of loneliness, and reclusive behavior are associated with heat stress during heat waves. I leverage novel data from a survey pilot conducted in Barcelona, Spain, after a heat wave in August 2024 (n = 470), with extensive information about individuals’ social networks, social context, and health outcomes. Preliminary results suggest that strong social ties are only protective against heat stress if they live nearby. This suggests that spatial proximity could be a mediator of the association between social isolation and heat stress. Loneliness and reclusiveness are consistently associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing heat stress. Strengths and limitations of this methodological approach are discussed. Together, these findings deepen our understanding about how different aspects of social connectedness are associated with health outcomes during acute weather events.