Highly Heterogeneous Heat‐Related Health Impacts in China and Implications for Sustainable Urban Heat Governance

Abstract

AbstractUnderstanding heat‐related impacts is crucial to improving public awareness of addressing urban heat challenges and enabling decision makers to mainstream heat action plans. This study explores heat‐related physiological and psychological impacts, symptoms, and demographic determinants based on 4210 questionnaires across nine large Chinese cities, including Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Nanchang, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenyang, and Xi'an in August 2020. The results indicate that heat‐related psychological impacts are equally severe as physiological impacts. Chongqing is under the most severe heat‐related health impact on both the physiological and psychological aspects. Skin heat damage (SKI), digestive system illnesses (DIG), respiratory illnesses (RES), and cardiovascular illnesses (CAR) are prominent physiological illnesses in all cities, while emotional irritability (EMO), easy to lose control temper (EAS), low mood (LOW), and insomnia (INS) are prominent psychological symptoms. Chongqing and Guangzhou are the most vulnerable cities in terms of physiological and psychological symptoms. Chengdu, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai are more resilient in terms of physiological symptoms, whereas Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Shanghai are more resistant to psychological symptoms. Heat‐related health impacts, symptoms, and demographic determinants are spatially heterogeneous. The elderly and patients are more vulnerable, while such a conclusion is not always true. The spatial heterogeneity of heat‐related physiological and psychological impacts, symptoms, and drivers highlights the significance of developing city‐specific heat health action plans.