Climate, Care, and Community Health: Co-Designing Disaster Resilience Networks in Shreveport, Louisiana

This pilot study explores the role of trusted, community-based institutions, such as churches, healthcare organizations, urban farms, and neighborhood centers, in advancing disaster risk reduction in Shreveport, Louisiana, a predominantly Black, low-income Gulf Coast region disproportionately affected by extreme weather events. Guided by Intersectionality, Social Determinants of Health, and Community-Driven Systems Change frameworks, the study uses a qualitative design, including semi-structured interviews, site visits, and participant observations with thirteen local organizations. Analysis identified four key themes: 1) vulnerabilities at the intersection of climate, health, and environment; 2) fragmented community systems and competition for resources; 3) trust, cultural ties, and faith-based infrastructure as resilience assets; and 4) capacity gaps alongside opportunities for proactive adaptation. The findings reveal the underutilized potential of local institutions to serve as formal resilience hubs that integrate solar-powered infrastructure, healthy food programs, healthcare access, and climate education. The case of Shreveport, LA, provides a replicable model for establishing a foundation for disaster risk reduction by developing an integrated resilience network that leverages locally rooted trust, addresses upstream determinants of vulnerability, and embeds equity within climate adaptation strategies. By investing in community-governed, systems-oriented resilience networks, disaster preparedness efforts can not only mitigate immediate risks but also address underlying structural inequities and support community needs exacerbated by disasters.