LATEBREAKER
Environment/Climate Change
Associations between historical redlining and climate-related exposures in the Texas Flood Registry Rashida Callender* Rashida Callender Carlos Calvo-Hernandez Katherine B. Ensor Marie Lynn Miranda Jaime Madrigano
Background: Previous research has shown greater environmental burdens and worse health outcomes in historically redlined areas, but few studies have linked redlining to exposures and outcomes from climate-related events. This study examines associations between historical redlining and Hurricane Harvey-related exposures and outcomes.
Methods: In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the Texas Flood Registry (TFR) deployed a survey to residents of areas affected by the storm. Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) polygons were obtained from the University of Richmond. Polygons were categorized according to the HOLC classification, using grades A (good) to D (poor). A weighted average of overlapping polygons was calculated to assign a redlining score to each census tract so that higher scores represented tracts with more “D” rated neighborhoods. Univariate and multivariate (controlling for demographics) logistic regression were used to examine the relationship between historical redlining and self-reported exposures and outcomes.
Results: A total of 965 survey respondents lived in census tracts with historical redlining data. Living in tracts in the highest quartile of redlining scores versus the lowest quartile was associated with increased odds of reporting home flooding [OR (95% CI): 4.71 (2.77, 8.42)], home damage [OR (95% CI): 2.48 (1.70, 3.66)], skin contact with floodwater [OR (95% CI): 1.70 (1.18, 2.47)], shortness of breath [OR (95% CI): 1.72 (1.11, 2.70)], and skin rash [OR (95% CI): 2.41 (1.21, 5.08)]. After adjustment, associations between redlining score and Harvey-related exposures were attenuated but remained statistically significant, while associations between historical redlining and physical health impacts were null.
Conclusions: We found associations between historical redlining and Harvey-related exposures and outcomes. Further research will examine if historical redlining modifies the association between Harvey-related exposures and outcomes.