Mental health in a warming world, with Kim Meidenbauer, PhD, and Amruta Nori-Sarma, PhD

This podcast episode explores the link between extreme heat and mental health. Psychologists and public health researchers have found that heat can affect both our mental and physical health. The research discussed in the episode highlights the importance of studying heat stress in the context of climate change and discusses the implications for mental health. The episode also discusses the connection between heat waves and higher crime rates, the relationship between heat and aggression, and the impact of extreme heat on sleep disruption. It further explores the vulnerability of different populations to extreme heat and the importance of structural factors, such as the urban heat island effect and access to resources for cooling, in predicting vulnerability to heat-related issues. The episode concludes with a discussion on possible solutions, including the use of green space infrastructure to reduce heat and improve mental health, the importance of accessible cooling centers for vulnerable populations, and the need for further research and innovative solutions in addressing heat-related issues.