Understanding the Perceptions and Health Impacts of Climate Change among LGBTQIA+ People in Alberta and British Columbia 

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

We are still looking for participants!

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We are still looking for participants! ⋆

This project aims to address the research gap surrounding LGBTQIA+ identifying communities and their experiences with climate change, air pollution, and health in Alberta and British Columbia. Very little climate change and health research that is inclusive of LGBTQIA+ individuals has been done, even though these communities experience a disproportionately high burden of adverse health outcomes. We plan to conduct focus group discussions, quantitative and qualitative analyses, and a visual research project called PhotoVoice, ultimately hoping to raise awareness of climate change, air pollution, and health in LGBTQIA+ communities.

Project Overview

Why is this project important?

LGBTQIA+ individuals have rarely been included in climate change and health research.

The risks and experiences of LGBTQIA+ identifying populations are an important gap in our data. These communities have been excluded from contributing to the shaping of adaptive and mitigative strategies. 

This pilot study attempts to address this gap through the promotion of research, knowledge, and practice around the health impacts of climate change and air pollution in LGBTQIA+ identifying populations in Alberta and British Columbia. Therefore, the goals of this research include emphasizing the necessity of incorporating LGBTQIA+ identities as a part of climate change and broader health research. This information is critical for the design of inclusive and non-discriminatory climate change policies and strategies.

Project Objectives

  1. The experiences of climate change of people self-identifying as members of the LGBTQIA+ community related to health and wellbeing in Alberta and British Columbia (BC) 

  2. The health outcomes (eg. respiratory, cardiovascular, injury, and mental health) associated with weather events and air pollution exposures among people in Alberta and BC identifying as members of the LGBTQIA+ community 

  3. Potential mediators of the relationship between weather events, air pollution exposure, and health (eg. social support, community engagement, access to green space and access to healthcare services) in people self-identifying as LGBTQIA+ in Alberta and BC

Methodology

We are conducting focus group discussions, qualitative and quantitative analyses, as well as an approach called PhotoVoice. 

PhotoVoice is a visual research approach that provides participants in Alberta with the opportunity to take photos to document, communicate, and reflect on climate change and health issues.

What will come out of this project?

A goal of this project is to increase awareness of climate change, air pollution, and health in LGBTQIA+ communities. We are planning multiple strategies to engage our target populations by disseminating information through workshops, presentations, infographics, web links, and more.