Dousing the burning inequity of global warming for people experiencing homelessness

The impact of extreme heat from global warming is felt disproportionally by people experiencing homelessness, representing a significant climate injustice. People experiencing homelessness face considerable challenges that impact on their capacity to cope with extreme heat, including a lack of safe, affordable and reliable housing, and higher rates of chronic health conditions and disability relative to people in stable housing.1, 2 Addressing the complex intersection of homelessness and extreme heat requires a focus on the underlying social and structural determinants of homelessness. Equally important is achieving net-zero carbon emissions to limit the rise in global temperatures.3

Although limiting the prevalence of homelessness and global warming is paramount, understanding and mitigating the negative health impacts of extreme heat on people experiencing homelessness is a vital step in public health efforts. This article reports on the state of this pressing injustice in Australia by exploring what is already known and identifying critical knowledge gaps and limitations in addressing the issue. Emerging heat-response actions and recommendations are provided to guide research and action towards mitigating heat-health impacts and future harm for people experiencing homelessness in Australia.