Assessing the Effects of Cool Roofs on Indoor Environments and Health in Niue

Summary

Ambient air temperatures in the Pacific have broken record highs in 2024. Solutions are needed to build heat resilience in communities and adapt to increasing heat from climate change. Sunlight-reflecting cool roof coatings may passively reduce indoor temperatures and energy use to protect home occupants from extreme heat. Occupants living in poor housing conditions in the Pacific are susceptible to increased heat exposure. Heat exposure can instigate and worsen numerous physical, mental and social health conditions. The worst adverse health effects are experienced in communities that are least able to adapt to heat exposure. By reducing indoor temperatures, cool roof use can promote physical, mental and social wellbeing in household occupants. The long-term research goal of the investigators is to identify viable passive housing adaptation technologies with proven health benefits to reduce the burden of heat stress in communities affected by heat in Niue. To meet this goal, the investigators will conduct a cluster-randomized controlled trial to establish the effects of cool roof use on health, indoor environment and economic outcomes in Niue.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Participant criteria:

* Consenting adults aged 18 years and over.
* Expected to be available to participate in the study for at least nine months in the next 12 months.

Household criteria:

* House has a metal roof.
* House is single-story.

Exclusion Criteria:

Household criteria:

* Unstable house structure that does not permit the application of cool roof materials.
* Inaccessible by the research team.
* Significant roof damage defined as any penetrative roof defect that results in a hole in the roof OR over 25% of the roof rusted.

Conditions27

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