Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of community-based health interventions against climate change in Tengchong, Yunnan Province, China.
Methods Using the random number method, two townships were randomly selected from Tengchong as intervention and control groups, respectively, and 600 community residents were randomly selected in each group. From November 2019 to January 2021, one-year health intervention was provided for the intervention group, and health surveys on climate change were conducted for both groups at baseline and endline. A difference-in-differences model was used to analyze the effects of the health intervention service on climate change-related health knowledge, attitude, risk perception, and adaptive behavior.
Results The one-year health intervention significantly increased the scores in climate change-related attitude and adaptive behavior by 2.70% (t=3.32, P < 0.05) and 5.08% (t=5.60, P < 0.05), respectively, but significantly decreased the risk perception score by 3.27% (t=-4.70, P < 0.05), with no significant changes in the knowledge score and the total score. The effects of the health intervention service were significantly more pronounced in married and divorced/widowed residents, people with low educational levels, and those with moderate annual household incomes (30 000 to 80 000 yuan).
Conclusion Health intervention can improve climate change-related health attitude and adaptive behavior among residents in Tengchong.
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