Grantee Research Project Results
2023 Progress Report: Building Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change in Alaska Native Communities by Reducing Health Risks from Water Infrastructure, Quality, and Security
EPA Grant Number: R840482Title: Building Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change in Alaska Native Communities by Reducing Health Risks from Water Infrastructure, Quality, and Security
Investigators: Poleacovschi, Cristina , Ikuma, Kaoru , Weems, Carl , Sela, Polina , Hill, Christina Gish , Feinstein, Scott
Institution: Iowa State University , The University of Texas at Austin
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 2022 through May 10, 2025
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2022 through August 31,2023
Project Amount: $1,350,000
RFA: Cumulative Health Impacts at the Intersection of Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Vulnerable Populations/Lifestages: Community-Based Research for Solutions (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Endocrine Disruptors , Environmental Justice , Human Health , Watersheds
Objective:
This study plans to assess the relationships between diverse climate-induced concerns related to water infrastructure and water and its effects on health in Alaska Native communities. Importantly, the project also aims at building adaptive capacity to climate change risks by addressing the issues of water infrastructure in Alaska Native communities. We hypothesize that climate change affects local water infrastructure (e.g. pipe leaks and breaks), which leads to poor water quality and water insecurity. Water quality, water insecurity and local vulnerabilities will directly affect health outcomes of Indigenous people. In a holistic manner, this project captures health outcomes based on health indicators, mental health indicators and non-Western perspective of health outcomes. The three-year project will specifically propose achieving the following objectives: Identify the effects of climate change on water infrastructure, quality and insecurity (Objective 1); Identify the cumulative effects of water quality, water insecurity and local vulnerabilities on health (Objective 2); Build adaptive capacity to climate change through community-based adaptation (Objective 3).
Progress Summary:
Objective 1
Significant progress has been achieved in the first objective aimed at understanding the impact of climate change on water-related aspects in the Norton Sound region. The team has successfully mapped the landscape of water infrastructure, delving into crucial factors such as environmental, engineering, social, economic, and managerial elements. Detailed data collection and analysis have provided insights into water system performance, infrastructure, funding, operations, and the roles of governmental and non-governmental organizations. Additionally, preliminary water quality testing in Unalakleet has revealed that most parameters are within expected ranges, although adjustments to the sampling approach are planned for a more representative dataset. This objective also aims to address water insecurity by engaging with stakeholders, conducting community workshops, and seeking community input on survey and interview protocols, emphasizing cultural appropriateness.
Objective 2
The project has progressed in survey development, incorporating questions that measure local vulnerabilities, including gender, income, education, employment, household characteristics, and housing details. This data, combined with survey responses, will be used to assess the cumulative effects of water quality, water insecurity, and local vulnerabilities on physical and mental health outcomes. Notably, questions from the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale aim to measure these health aspects. In ensuring cultural appropriateness, the project sought community input into the relevance and effectiveness of these questions.
Objective 3
In the pursuit of enhancing adaptive capacity through community-based adaptation, the project has achieved significant milestones. Annual meetings with the advisory board, including key community figures and researchers, were conducted to present ongoing results and receive recommendations. The advisory board suggested identifying technical solutions to address chlorine mistrust in the community water supply, engaging with elders to shift beliefs, and fostering stronger relationships with the city to address water disruption issues. Additionally, a Zoom meeting with researchers in the Alaska Native context provided valuable insights, highlighting the need for cross-comparison analysis in Alaska to understand water insecurity, perceptions, and health. Knowledge co-production was emphasized through a sharing circle/community workshop, where community input and expectations on adaptation methodologies were gathered. Preliminary data from this event includes detailed notes on water-related challenges, participant experiences, and contact information. Furthermore, the research team initiated a collaborative effort with Unalakleet High School to conduct an educational workshop in 2024, focusing on water quality and involving high school students in hands-on water quality tests.
Future Activities:
In the upcoming period, the research project will conduct a comprehensive assessment of climate change and stressors in the region, utilizing data collection and literature reviews to create scenarios for simulations identifying vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities will be mapped in GIS to facilitate visualization and communication with the community. In the second year, a focus on water quality includes the collection of representative tap water data from Unalakleet, addressing challenges arising from winter water circulation. Plans for addressing water insecurity involve surveys, interviews, health evaluations, and an ethnographic study to gather insights into water source preferences, behaviors, and related challenges. The cumulative effects on health, including water quality, water insecurity, and local vulnerabilities, will be analyzed using standard survey tools and statistical software. For building adaptive capacity to climate change through community-based adaptation, the project will continue to gather and formalize information, transitioning to creating operational models and decision-making tools. This includes the development of algorithms and code for localizing and detecting leaks in the water system, with an emphasis on open-source software. Community engagement through an advisory board will be sustained, involving the city, tribal members, and water insecurity experts, providing feedback on research outputs generated from surveys and interviews.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
climate change, health, alaska native, waterProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.