Systematic review highlights health and livelihood impacts of heatwaves in urban informal settlements, indicating urgent need for inclusive actions.
Key Points
The study investigates the effects of heatwaves on urban informal settlements in India and assesses resilience strategies.
Systematic review aligned with PRISMA guidelines of 24 peer-reviewed studies published from 2000 to 2024.
Screening based on predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria with quality assessment using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework.
Analysis focused on key variables including vulnerability factors, health and livelihood outcomes, and adaptive responses.
Heatwaves were associated with increased mortality and morbidity, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, and informal workers.
Common health effects included dehydration, heat stress, cardiovascular problems, and mental health disorders.
Identified resilience strategies included cool roofs, awareness campaigns, and informal social support networks, though their implementation was inconsistent.