Racial/ethnic disparities in the distribution of heatwave frequency and expected economic losses in the US

Abstract

Previous research on social disparities in heat exposure has not examined heatwave frequency or economic damage at the local or neighborhood level. Additionally, most US studies have focused on specific cities or regions, and few national-scale studies encompassing both urban and rural areas have been conducted. These gaps are addressed here by analyzing racial/ethnic disparities in the distribution of annual heatwave frequency and expected economic losses from heatwave occurrence in the contiguous US. Census tract-level data on annualized heatwave frequency and expected loss from the FEMA’s National Risk Index are linked to relevant variables from the American Community Survey. Results indicate that all racial/ethnic minority groups except non-Hispanic Black are significantly overrepresented in neighborhoods with greater annual heatwave frequency (top 10% nationally), and all minority groups are overrepresented in neighborhoods with greater total expected annual loss from heatwaves, compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Multivariable models that control for spatial clustering, climate zone, and relevant socio-demographic factors reveal similar racial/ethnic disparities, and suggest significantly greater heatwave frequency and economic losses in neighborhoods with higher percentages of Hispanics and American Indians. These findings represent an important starting point for more detailed investigations on the adverse impacts of heatwaves for US minority populations and formulating appropriate policy interventions.