Association between long-term, short-term spatial land surface temperature variations and health-related quality of life in Lima, Peru

BACKGROUND: The effect of environmental exposures on self-reported health has gained attention in the literature in recent years. Rising temperatures have become a public health concern due to climate change and urbanisation at a global scale. Findings vary strongly across regions, highlighting the need for further evidence to inform data-driven decisions. METHODS: This study aimed to assess the impact of land surface temperature (LST) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among adults in Lima, Peru. We assessed 700 randomly selected adults using structured interviews covering HRQOL, sociodemographic factors, behavioural habits, and non-communicable disease (NCD) prevalence, between December 2023 and January 2024. LST was derived from satellite-based data. RESULTS: We detected no association between LST and self-reported health for most of the exposure timeframes. However, we observed an association between spring and summer mean temperature for reporting perfect health and reporting problems in the usual activity and anxiety or depression dimension, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the complex interplay of LST as an environmental exposure and HRQOL in urban settings. Insights from this study can optimise public health policies and interventions aimed at promoting healthy behaviours, improving environmental conditions, and enhancing population well-being. Further research should investigate the observed associations across diverse geographic settings and develop targeted strategies to improve HRQOL in the context of rising global temperatures.