Purpose of the Study
In the U.S., many residents are spending more than 10% of their income on utilities such as natural gas and electricity. Unfortunately, this spending on energy is not helping people stay comfortable in their homes. Energy efficiency programs and weatherization programs have helped people make better use of their energy. We would like to learn more about how more comfortable indoor temperatures might improve health. This study’s goals are to:
- Understand how temperature affects short-term changes in thinking and learning abilities (cognition) and sleep quality.
- Compare the effects of different upgrades in different locations, and
- better understand the health benefits of energy efficiency and weatherization upgrades in homes.
Benefits of the Study
Personal Benefits: You might benefit by being in the study by receiving a report summarizing the temperature and humidity in your home. You will also receive a report summarizing the results of the sleep monitoring. In addition, you will receive up to $380 for your participation in the study.
Societal Benefits: The study will help us understand how to decrease unhelpful energy spending and utility costs in homes to decrease the risk of temperature-related health effects. We also expect to have a better understanding of cognitive and sleep health effects of extreme temperatures. This research can support future policy changes and will be shared with community members, state and local government, and policy-makers.
Principal Investigator: Carina Gronlund, PhD, MPH (University of Michigan)
Program Partners: University of Michigan; Emory University; UT CARE; Detroit, MI: EcoWorks; Friends of Parkside; Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency; Memphis, TN: Three3; Tennessee Valley Authority; Memphis & Shelby County Division of Planning & Development.