Environmental health Archive

Certain medications can leave people more vulnerable to heat-related effects or the sun's rays. The medications can raise the risk of dehydration, make people sweat too much or too little, impair the body's ability to regulate temperature, or raise the risk of getting a bad sunburn. In addition, higher temperatures may damage some medicines, including diuretics, blood pressure drugs, some antidepressants, thyroid replacement hormones, and some over-the-counter antihistamines.

Our health is intertwined with the health of planet Earth, and the impacts of climate change threaten our well-being. Collectively taking small steps like eating more plant-forward meals, using bikes or public transit, and even sharing our pledges can help move the needle in a positive direction.

Climate change is causing longer, more intense allergy seasons, with increased amounts of pollen. This might make it harder for people to predict when their allergies might crank up, when to begin preparing for them, and how to discern the difference between allergy symptoms and upper respiratory illness. Strategies to cope include noting daily pollen counts, staying indoors when counts are high, checking with a doctor about new or worsening symptoms, and wearing a mask when outside for more than a few minutes.

When New Year's resolutions aren't working, other strategies can help improve health habits. For example, people can set February goals instead of January goals, focusing on small changes in diet, exercise, or stress management. Another idea is including friends for added motivation and support, or working with an expert such as a personal trainer or dietitian. It might also help to follow eco-friendly habits that improve health, such as driving less and walking or cycling more and adopting a plant-based diet.

A 2024 study found that when air pollution levels decreased during a five-year period in Italy, so did hospitalizations for heart-related emergencies. The results suggest that reducing air pollution could lower the prevalence of heart disease.

As global temperatures continue to soar, extreme heat poses numerous health risks, some of which are visible on our skin. Understanding how heat affects your skin can help you take measures to prevent or ease many skin conditions that are sparked or worsened by high temperatures.

Climate change has made summers hotter, and the struggle to stay cool has led to more cases of heat-related illness. Don't wait until you're overheated to figure out how to cool down; use these ideas to get you started.