Effects of the Local Government’s Heatwave Response Facility on the Reduction of Heat-related Patients: Focusing on Cooling Shelters

This study analyzed the impact of cooling shelters, a key heatwave response policy of local governments, on the reduction of heat-related patients, considering regional characteristics and overlapping vulnerable populations. Using pooled ordinary least squares, the impact was assessed based on data from 226 local governments nationwide from 2016 to 2022. The analysis showed that, unlike in metropolitan cities, cooling shelters had a negative effect on heat-related patients in Do (province) areas. In Si, Gun, and Gu (city, county, and district) areas, the effect varied depending on the type of overlapping vulnerable populations. While the reduction effect was greater in areas with higher elderly and elderly living alone populations, it was not statistically significant in Gun (county) areas and showed a decreasing trend for elderly basic livelihood security beneficiaries in large city districts. These results suggest the need for a customized strategy that reflects regional and vulnerable group-specific characteristics, moving beyond a uniform policy application. This study provides academic and policy contributions by offering such evidence.