Temperatures in South Florida have been rising, leading to extreme heat and alarming heat advisories. On Aug. 13, 2026, the state experienced dangerous heat, with heat index values potentially climbing above 110 degrees.
Most Floridians take caution and stay inside if they can to escape the heat. For cancer patients and survivors, getting to that air-conditioned space can be another challenge.
A recent University of Miami study found that many cancer survivors experience exhaustion, brain fog, and social isolation during periods of extreme heat, often forcing them to remain indoors or rely on personal cooling strategies.
Researchers found an increased need for cooling and significant social withdrawal among the study participants.
The study raises a critical question: If staying home is the safest way for cancer survivors to avoid the heat, what happens when they must go elsewhere?
Neighborhood cooling centers offer part of the solution. Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami have already expanded their response to extreme heat by increasing the number of accessible cooling centers.
For the 2025 Heat Season, Miami-Dade added 11 cooling sites, including 10 Miami Park facilities and one at Camillus Health. The expansion brought the county's total to 64 cooling sites, many operating seven days a week with extended hours. The sites provide air-conditioned spaces where residents can escape the heat and cool down.
While cooling centers are impactful, reaching them can be difficult. Some South Florida cities lack nearby facilities. For cancer patients experiencing fatigue, mobility challenges, or treatment side effects, transportation is a major barrier—especially for those without personal vehicles.
Noel Neilsonsky, a 21-year-old cancer survivor, experienced this firsthand. "Sometimes our health gets in the way," Neilsonsky said.
In the summer of 2024, Neilsonsky underwent his first surgery. While recovering, the extreme heat made participating in everyday activities difficult.
His mobility was limited, requiring the use of a cane and crutches. "Some days the heat was unbearable," Neilsonsky mentioned. When college classes resumed, he had to miss lectures because the heat made him ill.
Even a short walk became exhausting. Neilsonsky remembers walking to a Crumbl Cookie location around 11 a.m. and becoming extremely nauseous and exhausted.
“Just doing a leisurely walk was just like a task for me,” Neilsonsky said.
Passing out from heat exhaustion after returning home became a frequent occurrence. However, he also experienced a potential model for improving accessibility.
During his time studying at Florida State University, the Office of Accessibility Services provided transportation accommodations, including a ventilated shuttle. That helped Neilsonsky get around campus while recovering.
Drawing from his experience on campus, Neilsonsky believes South Florida could benefit from expanding specialized transportation services for those vulnerable to heat-related illness.
“It's not like we just want to stay at home and do nothing,” Neilsonsky said. “We want to be out there. It's just sometimes our health gets in the way.”
Enhanced transportation could be a vital addition to current solutions. Brian Slomovitz, M.D., of Mount Sinai Medical Center, agreed that transportation is a primary concern.
"Maybe having [cooling centers] near the person that takes care of them, if not near the medical campus, would help," Slomovitz said. "Because really, just getting out of the house sometimes is a very time-consuming process."
A two-pronged approach could be effective for South Florida: increasing the number of neighborhood cooling centers and providing transportation for those unable to reach them independently.
Libraries, recreation centers, and community centers could serve as cooling locations closer to residents. Providing transportation for patients who are fatigued, have limited mobility, or live further away would also be beneficial.
South Florida is not alone in addressing accessibility. A study published by the National Library of Medicine in New York found that both location and transportation are vital for accessing cooling centers.
In rural communities, the average driving distance to a center was roughly 18 miles, making those residents more vulnerable to extreme heat.
A viable solution for South Florida does not necessarily require new construction; instead, existing community spaces could be converted into cooling centers located closer to vulnerable populations.
The success of these efforts depends on addressing key questions regarding the benefits for residents like cancer patients and survivors:
- Are cooling centers located near the medically vulnerable communities?
- How far do cancer patients and survivors have to travel to a cooling center?
- Can they reach centers by public transportation?
- Is transportation available for people who are not mobile?
- How many people actually use the centers?
- Do patients know the centers exist?
These questions can answer the measure of success of a cooling network of centers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted that research measuring health outcomes for cooling centers is limited. Factors such as transportation, walking access, center density, public education, and offered services all impact their effectiveness.
Effective cooling centers help those who have experienced cancer stay safe within their communities rather than being confined to their homes.
The University of Miami study found that extreme heat forced some cancer survivors to spend more time at home and reduce their social activities.
Accessibility is crucial; cancer patients and survivors should not be trapped indoors. Nearby cooling centers provide safe shelter and the opportunity to remain connected to the community.
While specific research proving that cooling centers prevent heat-related illness among cancer patients is limited, the University of Miami study—though small, with 20 participants—underscores the need for further investigation into how heat interacts with cancer treatments.
Ongoing research is essential for developing effective solutions. As South Florida's heat intensifies, robust cooling networks and reliable transportation will provide a necessary safe haven for the medically vulnerable.
Kazon Allen is a broadcast journalism student at Florida A&M University, and is a member of the summer Fulcrum Fellowship.
