Full Project Name: Center for Climate: Equitable and Accessible Research-based Testing for Health
Project Acronym (if applicable): C-EARTH
Project Duration (Start – End Date): August 2025
Project Status (Ongoing / Completed / Upcoming): On-going
2. Project Overview
This project investigates the impact of heat exposure on health outcomes, dietary patterns, and livelihoods in an urban South African community. Conducted within the USINGA Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in Umlazi, Durban, the study aims to understand how rising temperatures linked to climate change affect vulnerable populations.
The project combines household survey data from approximately 1,000 households with qualitative insights from Community Advisory Board (CAB) members. It explores symptoms of heat stress, health events, and coping mechanisms, while also examining community knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to heatwaves and drought.
A key component of the study is the assessment of passive cooling solutions, such as cool roofing technologies, to identify acceptable and sustainable interventions. The research is part of the broader C-EARTH initiative, which focuses on climate change and health.
The project benefits communities by generating evidence to inform interventions, policies, and community-driven adaptation strategies aimed at improving resilience to extreme heat and protecting public health.
3. Background and Rationale
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, posing significant health risks, particularly in low-resource urban communities. In the USINGA HDSS area, there is limited evidence on how heat exposure affects health outcomes and dietary behaviours.
This project addresses this gap by leveraging the HDSS platform to generate longitudinal and community-level data on heat-related health risks. It integrates environmental health, nutrition, and socio-economic dimensions to better understand vulnerability and adaptation.
The study aligns national and global priorities on climate change, public health, and sustainable development. It contributes to climate adaptation strategies and supports equitable, community-informed solutions.
4. Objectives
Overall Aim: To evaluate the effects of heat exposure on health, diet, and community adaptation strategies, and to identify feasible passive cooling solutions.
Specific Objectives:
1. To assess the impact of heat exposure on symptoms of heat stress and related health events.
2. To examine how heat affects dietary intake and nutrition.
3. To explore community knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding heatwaves and climate change.
4. To evaluate community preferences for passive cooling interventions (i.e cool roofs).
5. To identify strategies to improve community resilience to extreme heat.
5. Study Setting and Population
Geographic Area: Umlazi, Durban, South Africa (USINGA HDSS area – wards 79, 82, and 88)
Target Population:
- Households within the USINGA HDSS
- Adult participants in approximately 1,000 households
- Community Advisory Board (CAB) members (pilot phase)
Is the project nested within the HDSS cohort? (Yes/No – Explain)
Yes – the study is fully embedded within the USINGA HDSS platform.
Estimated Sample Size (if applicable): ~1,000 households (quantitative component)
- 25 CAB members (pilot qualitative component)
6. Methodology
Study Design
Mixed methods (quantitative household survey and qualitative interviews and focus groups)
Data Collection Methods
- Structured household surveys
- One-on-one interviews
- Focus group discussions (FGDs)
- Anthropometric and health measurements (blood pressure, height, weight)
Data Collection Tools
- Structured questionnaires
- Tablets (digital data capture)
Follow-up Frequency (if longitudinal)
- Two visits per household (baseline and follow-up after 2 years)
7. Partnerships and Collaborators
- Academic Partners
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
Centre for Research in Health Systems (CRH)
- Implementing Partners
USINGA HDSS
ARISE programme
WASHA Takwimu health data science programme
- Government Departments
N/A
- Community Structures
Community Advisory Board (CAB)
8. Community Engagement
Community engagement is central to this project. CAB members actively participate as study participants and provide input on local experiences of heat exposure and adaptation strategies.
Engagement activities include:
- Focus group discussions
- Community consultations on cooling solutions
- Incorporation of community feedback into intervention design
The project ensures that community perspectives shape research outputs and future interventions. It also supports local participation and strengthens trust between researchers and the community.
9. Ethical Approval
Name of Ethics Committee: Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BREC), University of KwaZulu-Natal
Consent Procedures: Written informed consent obtained from all participants
Participation is voluntary with the option to withdraw at any time
Confidentiality and Data Protection Measures: Use of anonymised participant codes
Secure data storage (password-protected systems and locked storage)
Restricted access to research team only
10. Outputs and Impact
-Publications (if available)
-Reports or Policy Briefs
-Conference Presentations
-Expected Outputs (if ongoing)
-Policy or Community Impact
11. Data Access (if applicable)
Is data available for external researchers? (Yes/No)
Data Access Process:
Link to Data Access Policy:
Contact Email:
12. Project Team (Please provide head shots as well)
Principal Investigator: Professor Saloshni Naidoo
Co-Investigators: N/A
Project Manager: N/A
Field Coordinator: N/A
Key Staff: Trained fieldworkers and research team members
13. Contact Information
Project Email: Naidoos71@ukzn.ac.za
Social media platforms: N/A
Physical Address: University of KwaZulu-Natal,
Howard College Campus,
Durban, South Africa
Website link (if applicable): N/A
14. Visual Content (Optional for Website Use)
-Maps of Study Area
-Infographics
-Photographs (with consent)
-Project Timeline