Abstract
BACKGROUND: In this study, protection motivation theory (PMT) was used to understand the drivers of adaptation of elder individuals and individuals with chronic health conditions to heatwaves. More particularly, it examines the influence of the perception of heatwave risks and of the effectiveness of five heat protection actions commonly recommended by health authorities on the adoption of these actions. METHODS: The data for this study were collected using three surveys on a sample of residents of Longueuil city - Canada. This longitudinal design allowed the use of individual and time fixed effects model to test the effects of risk perception and response efficacy on adaptation to heatwaves. In addition, the random assignment of a subset of study participants to a group that was exposed to heat warning (treatment group) and a group that was not exposed (control group) enabled the use of instrumental variable method to assess the robustness of the panel fixed effect model findings. RESULTS: A positive association was found between the perception of the effectiveness of heat protection actions and the likelihood of adopting these actions. However, risk perception and its interaction with the perceived effectiveness of protective actions show no significant effects. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that improving the perception of the effectiveness of heat prevention actions increases their adoption. However, it questions the relevance of raising risk awareness to achieve this objective.