Intra-urban vulnerability to heat-related mortality in New York City, 1997–2006

Policies to improve the housing conditions of elderly residents could play a role in reducing heat-related mortality in New York City, although these policies are not yet explicitly considered as part of climate adaptive planning. Climate adaptation and heat island mitigation programs that seek to identify neighborhood hot spots within cities and address economic disparities may help to reduce the health impacts of climate extremes and variability. Towards that end, a community-based adaptation planning process may help address the social justice dimension of the impacts of extreme events and climate change in New York City while increasing the effectiveness of adaptive programs and policies.