Sub-Saharan Africa faces extreme heat challenges that disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, such as manual labourers and informal settlement dwellers. HABVIA aims to bridge the knowledge gap by evaluating heat adaptation strategies in real-world settings across Ghana and South Africa. The project will assess physiological, mental health, climate, and socioeconomic outcomes to inform scalable adaptation interventions. The project is from 2023 - 2027. 

Objectives 

Co-develop and implement affordable, community-driven heat adaptation measures. 

Assess the health and social benefits of heat adaptations in homes and workplaces. 

Strengthen African research capacity in climate and public health. 

Build a global community of practice on climate-health adaptation. 

Methodology 

Real-world data collection from four heat-vulnerable communities in Ghana and South Africa. 

Physiological, psychological, socio-economic, and environmental monitoring. 

Development and testing of heat early warning systems tailored to vulnerable groups. 

Stakeholder engagement with researchers, NGOs, and policymakers. 

Impact – Why this matters 

Evidence-based heat adaptation strategies to reduce health risks. 

Improve heat warning systems tailored to at-risk populations. 

Strengthen collaboration between climate science and public health. 

Images/Visuals 

Infographics of heat risks and adaptation measures. Photos of communities implementing heat adaptation strategies. 

Research Team 

Co-Principal Investigators: Prof. Mark New & Prof. Lara Dugas (University of Cape Town). Collaborators from the University of Ghana, KNUST, University of Bristol, and research agencies.

Partners Info

Funded by Wellcome Trust’s Heat Adaptation: Evaluating Interventions scheme. Collaborating with South African Medical Research Council, Ghana Meteorological Agency, and Slum Dwellers International.