We’re excited to share that the It’s Getting Hot in Here study is officially up and running, with our first participant visits now underway!
Over the past couple of weeks, our research team has been out visiting participants in their homes to carry out the first stage of data collection. These initial visits are a crucial part of the study, helping us build a strong baseline ahead of the summer heatwaves.
What Happens at the First Visit?
During this visit, participants:
- Complete a series of health questionnaires
- Provide blood, urine, and stool samples
- Take part in physical function tests, such as grip strength and chair rise
- Have environmental monitors installed in their home to measure temperature and humidity
Participants also receive a Garmin watch, which they’ll wear throughout the study to help us track activity levels. This valuable data will give us a better picture of how people’s daily routines are affected during periods of extreme heat – and participants can keep their Garmin once the study ends!
Why This Matters
These early visits set the foundation for everything to come. By gathering health and environmental data before any heatwaves hit, we’ll be better equipped to understand how people’s bodies respond when temperatures rise. It’s all part of our wider goal to reduce the health risks of heatwaves for older adults – a group especially vulnerable to heat-related illness.
A big thank you to our brilliant participants who are taking part in this important study – and to the fieldwork team who are out there making it happen!
Behind the Scenes
Below is a photo from our first visit – capturing the process in action and the brilliant work of our team.
We’ll continue sharing updates as the study progresses – so watch this space and stay cool!