No Placebo Group
Every participant receives an active treatment — no one gets a placebo.
Ready to participate?
Review the details below, then apply to join this clinical trial.
At a Glance
Age
55 – 95
Sex
Any
Study type
Interventional
Purpose
Prevention
Participants needed
100 (estimated)
Sponsor
Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) · Other
Who this trial is looking for
This trial is looking for older adults who don't have air conditioning at home. Participants will receive an air conditioner and may get help with electricity costs while researchers study the effects on health during hot weather.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
You may be able to join if
I live in Roxbury, Dorchester, East Boston, or Mattapan MA
I am between 55 and 95 years old
I speak English or Spanish
I do not have air conditioning in my home
I have a chronic condition like heart disease, lung disease, or mental health issues
I have been hospitalized at least once in the past three years
You may not be able to join if
I do not have a suitable location in my home for an air conditioning unit
Summarized in plain language from this trial's official eligibility criteria.
The full criteria are further down this page — only the research team can
confirm whether you qualify.
Think this trial could be right for you?
Answer three quick questions written from this study's own rules to see if you may qualify. No account needed to find out.
The goal of this stepped wedge trial is to assess the practical effects of air conditioners on hot weather impacts among older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:
How does the presence of an air conditioning unit affect heat stress, heat strain, mental health, and healthcare utilization among older adults who did not previously have access to air conditioning?
How, and in what cond…
The goal of this stepped wedge trial is to assess the practical effects of air conditioners on hot weather impacts among older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:
How does the presence of an air conditioning unit affect heat stress, heat strain, mental health, and healthcare utilization among older adults who did not previously have access to air conditioning?
How, and in what conditioners, do older adults use air conditioning once it is installed in their home?
Researchers will compare participants in arms with (A) and without (B) air conditioning units in the first summer season; this will allow them to assess the effect of air conditioners. In the second summer season, both arms will have air conditioning units, but those in the year two distribution arm (B) will receive an electricity subsidy, while those in the year one AC distribution arm (A) will not, allowing researchers to assess the effect of an electricity subsidy.
Participants will be randomized to receive an air conditioner and financial support for electricity costs in either the first summer season or the second summer season of the study.
* Heat stress, heat strain, mental health, and healthcare utilization will be assessed via participant survey.
* Air conditioner utilization will be assessed via continuous load monitoring devices.
* Indoor air temperature will be assessed via continuous data loggers.
Trial Locations
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City
State
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Status
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* reside in Roxbury, Dorchester, East Boston or Mattapan MA
* age 55-95 years old
* speak English or Spanish
* do not have air conditioning in the home
* living with at least one of the following conditions: chronic CVD (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, history of stroke …
Inclusion Criteria:
* reside in Roxbury, Dorchester, East Boston or Mattapan MA
* age 55-95 years old
* speak English or Spanish
* do not have air conditioning in the home
* living with at least one of the following conditions: chronic CVD (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, history of stroke or myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, or heart failure), chronic pulmonary disease (asthma, COPD/emphysema, interstitial lung disease), chronic neurologic disease (stroke, Parkinson's disease, or other chronic neurologic conditions), chronic mental health conditions (including anxiety disorder, major depression, bipolar disorder), and/or history of hospitalization (defined as spending at least one night in the hospital) for any reason within the past three years.
Exclusion Criteria:
\- Lack a location in their home suitable for installation of the AC unit provided during the research study.
Contacts
Caleb Dresser Assistant Professor in Environmental Health, MD MPH
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