P4.038: It’s Getting Hot in Here: An Analysis of Access and Availability of Air Conditioning in Colleges

Background: In the warmer months of 2024, emergency room visits for heat-related illnesses (HRI) surged across the U.S compared to the previous year. Children with chronic conditions face challenges when applying to colleges, particularly the availability of proper health accommodations, such as air conditioning (AC), which is essential for students with heat-sensitive conditions like asthma and cardiovascular issues. Colleges vary widely in AC policies, which can impact student health, especially as temperature rises. This study explores the prevalence of AC in college dorms during August 2024, considering geography and average temperatures.

Methods: The top 3 most enrolled colleges in each of the 50 US states were identified by CollegeFactual and College Raptor. The following data were collected from each college website: location; institution type (public or private); August 2024 temperatures (TEMP); percent of living spaces with AC (pAC); room and board cost; undergraduate student population (UP); and diversity. Region was determined by the National Centers for Environmental Information’s U.S. Climate Regions. Analysis was conducted in R.

Results: A total of 148 colleges were studied: 18% private (n=26) and 82% public (n=122), with a SP total (n=2,505,456). 48% (n=71) of all colleges did not have AC in all student dorms, and 16% (n=23) did not have any dorms with AC. Linear regression analysis indicates a significant relationship between TEMP and pAC, as well UP and pAC, but low r-squared values indicate these models are not predictive of pAC (Figure 1). An F-Test comparing a linear regression model that predicts pAC as a function of TEMP and UP to a model predicting pAC as a function of TEMP was not statistically significant, indicating the two-factor model was not significantly better than the one-factor model at predicting pAC. Neither room and board cost nor minority population correlated significantly with pAC. pAC among regions can be seen in Figure 2.

Conclusion: Nearly half of the colleges did not provide AC in all dorms, and a concerning 16% had none at all, possibly posing health risks for students with HRI. While there was a significant relationship found between TEMP and pAC in college dorms, the low predictive power of the models suggests that other factors influence AC access. Without adequate AC, vulnerable students face risks of exacerbation of their conditions. Students should ensure AC status for their colleges and seek accommodations through 504 plans, which may require clinician involvement for documentation. As temperature continues to rise, colleges should consider making AC universal and facilitate the transition for students who need accommodations to receive AC in their dorms. This step is necessary to prevent medical complications and allow students the opportunity to partake in college life without health concerns.