Research Project

RESEARCH PROJECT SUMMARY Climate change poses risks to human health through direct and indirect stressors. On tropical islands, some of the risks are accentuated. The population of the US Caribbean Territories, including Puerto Rico (PR) and the US Virgin Islands (USVI), is especially vulnerable to multiple concurrent hazards heightened by global climate

change and the public health infrastructure that is weak, vulnerable, or absent due to historical and current problematic policies and practices. PR and USVI are experiencing acute socioeconomic and health consequences from extreme events including hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017) and the COVID-19 pandemic

(2020-2022). The proposed Caribbean Climate Change Adaptation, Cancer, and Health Disparities Research Center (CCCARIB-CARES) will employ a multimethod approach to identify helpful strategies for addressing these problems. CCCARIB-CARES will employ an epidemiological study to assess the risk of cancer in PR and

USVI in relation to climate vulnerabilities and socioenvironmental factors. It will include a cross-sectional study to assess understanding of climate change and its effects on mobilizing pollution and affecting the quality of life among cancer survivors. Furthermore, a qualitative study component will use key informants and focus groups

to determine the needs, priorities and capabilities of stakeholder groups, cancer patients, and residents living in sites with low/high environmental disparities in relation to adaptation to climate-induced vulnerabilities. The primary aims of the proposed project are to 1) Describe the risk of cancer in PR and USVI in relation to climate

stressors and socioenvironmental factors and 2) Conduct a community assessment of socioenvironmental climate stressors and adaptation capacity among cancer survivors and residents experiencing environmental disparities in PR and USVI. Information from the PR and USVI cancer registries will be used to assess cancer

incidence and mortality risk in the context of historical and current environmental data, in a framework that evaluates social disparities. The study of the needs, priorities, and capabilities of stakeholder groups will uncover weaknesses in the cancer control and healthcare continuum. This information will guide the

development of interventions and inform planning to respond and adapt to climate vulnerabilities in the Caribbean region. The findings will be of relevance for government-based planning and intervention efforts, including developing plans to mitigate the impacts of climate change locally, plans for disaster preparedness,

and improving the resilience of cancer control plans and infrastructure for these US territories. Lessons learned will be of value to other US Territories Island states, and communities experiencing similar socio-environmental climate vulnerability nationally.