Measuring the Impact of Heat and Heat Adaptation Strategies on the Health and Livelihoods of Women Working in the Informal Economy in India

Extreme heat poses an escalating threat to health, particularly among the world’s working poor. Critical data on both exposure and impact in the most at-risk populations are limited. Existing evidence is largely derived from laboratory or workplace settings, athletes and armed forces, and mostly men. Without a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the sustained heat exposures experienced by the working poor in their homes and workplaces, it is hard to evaluate the range of behavioral, technical, and financial adaptation strategies being presented to these communities globally. Our project proposes a longitudinal study to assess the impact of heat on the health and livelihoods of women in India’s informal economy, all members of the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA). By integrating environmental sensors, wearables, biomarker assessments, and surveys, we will measure thermal exposure and quantify impacts on physiological responses, reproductive, renal, and cardiovascular health, and work productivity, across all seasons. Building on a 2024-25 feasibility pilot, the proposed study will generate context- specific evidence on the impact of sustained heat stress on the working poor. Outcomes will inform workplace regulations, early warning systems, adaptation interventions, and result in a generalizable research platform for community- led organizations to lead future climate-health adaptation efforts.