CHE-JUI CHANGHSIAO-YU YANG2024-12-232024-12-232024-07-01https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/724257Introduction Climate change’s impact on public health is a growing concern, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly. This study aims to assess indoor air quality and heat exposure levels for elderly patients in home healthcare settings. Methods During a three-month period from May to July 2023, this study focused on elderly patients receiving medical home visits from National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch. AirBoxes (Edimax AI-1001W V3) were placed in each patient’s home to monitor indoor PM2.5 levels, temperature, and relative humidity. Heat index (HI) values were calculated to evaluate the severity of heat exposure. Results The study included eleven elderly patients, with an average age of 72.5 years, comprising nine males and two females. Approximately 41.19% of person-time faced Extreme Caution levels of heat exposure (HI: 32.2 - 39.4°C), indicating significant exposure to elevated heat index values. An additional 37.06% of person-time experienced Caution levels (HI: 26.7 - 32.2°C). Moreover, 14.46% of person-time faced Danger levels (HI: 39.4 - 51.1°C) of indoor heat exposure. Regarding 24-hour average PM2.5 levels, 44.51% of person-time experienced Good air quality (below 12 μg/m³), and 43.67% encountered Moderate air quality (12 - 35.5 μg/m³). However, 6.88% of person-time were exposed to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups of air quality (35.5 - 55.5 μg/m³), and 2.06% faced Unhealthy or Very Unhealthy air quality (55.5 - 250.5 μg/m³). Discussion and conclusion This study emphasizes the importance of indoor air quality and heat stress for elders. Proactive efforts to manage indoor environments are important for the elderly population.enair pollutionindoorclimateheat (physical force)heat stress disordershospitalsuniversitytaiwanbody temperaturepublic health medicinetemperatureolder adultheat exposuremedical homerelative humidityvulnerable populations[SDGs]SDG13journal article10.1093/occmed/kqae023.0726