Assessing the Effects of Cool Roofs on Indoor Environments and Health in Colima, Mexico

Ambient air temperatures in Mexico have broken record highs in 2024. Solutions are needed to build heat resilience in communities and adapt to increasing heat from climate change. Sunlight-reflecting cool roof coatings may passively reduce indoor temperatures and energy use to protect home occupants from extreme heat. Occupants living in poor housing conditions in the northern zone of Mexico are susceptible to increased heat exposure. Heat exposure can instigate and worsen numerous physical, mental and social health conditions. The worst adverse health effects are experienced in communities that are least able to adapt to heat exposure. By reducing indoor temperatures, cool roof use can promote physical, mental and social wellbeing in household occupants. The long-term research goal of the investigators is to identify viable passive housing adaptation technologies with proven health benefits to reduce the burden of heat stress in communities affected by heat in Mexico. To meet this goal, the investigators will conduct a cluster-randomized controlled trial to establish the effects of cool roof use on health, indoor environment and economic outcomes in Colima, Mexico.

NCT Number	NCT06834893
Lead Sponsor	Aditi Bunker Collaborators: Heidelberg University, Rutgers University, Boston University, Cognifit, EPS, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Universidad de Colima
Conditions	Resting Heart Rate, Blood Glucose Control, Depression, Heat-related Symptoms, Physician Diagnosed Heat-related Illnesses, Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, Health-related Quality of Life +17 more
Enrollment	800 participants
Start Date	2026-04-01
Primary Completion	2027-09-01 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-09-01 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-03-12