Title: “Surviving el Apagón: How Energy Access Shapes Health among Electricity Dependent Patients in Puerto Rico”
Abstract: As global surface temperatures continue to rise, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as extreme heat conditions, pose significant threats to energy infrastructure and public health. During these conditions, an increased demand for cooling can strain energy grids, potentially leading to power outages. Without electricity, cooling strategies become limited, increasing the risk of heat-related morbidity and mortality. These risks are heightened in regions with weak energy infrastructure and among electricity-dependent patients (EDPs), individuals who rely on electricity for critical medical support. The objective of this study is to understand how power outages during extreme heat events can affect health outcomes among EDP. This work focuses on Puerto Rico, a Caribbean archipelago and United States (US) colony since 1898, which faces unique vulnerabilities to climate change due to its exposure to natural disasters, colonial governance, pervasive health disparities, and high levels of energy poverty. We analyze data from the US Health and Human Services emPOWER Program, Environment for Analysis of Geo-Located Energy Information (EAGLE-I), and the US Energy Information Administration’s Annual Electric Power Industry Reports. Preliminary results indicate that the proportion of EDP Medicare beneficiaries in Puerto Rico has grown since 2016 (from 4.1% to 6.2%). Additionally, both the frequency and duration of power outages have also increased, highlighting the need for an improved energy system and urgent, targeted interventions to protect the health of electricity-dependent populations as climate risks intensify.
