health
Newsletter
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Phoenix endures unprecedented 100 consecutive days of 100-degree heat
Phoenix hit 100 degrees for the 100th straight day, shattering the previous record of 76 days in 1993 and highlighting the intensifying heat in the Southwest.
Ian Livingston, Erin Patrick O'Connor, and Naema Ahmed report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Phoenix set a new record of 100 consecutive days over 100 degrees, surpassing the previous streak by over three weeks.
- Vulnerable groups, including outdoor workers and the unhoused, are at greater risk, with heat-related deaths on the rise.
- The city's average summer temperature has risen 8-9 degrees since the late 1800s, driven by greenhouse gas emissions and urbanization.
Key quote:
“I’ve been homeless for 10 years. I can’t do another summer out here. No way.”
— Ron Wishon, Phoenix homeless resident
Why this matters:
This extreme heat threatens public health, especially for those without adequate shelter. As urbanization and climate change intensify, cities like Phoenix could face even hotter, more dangerous summers.
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Wildfire smoke is now linked to worsening eczema symptoms
Researchers have found that exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen eczema, adding to growing evidence of how air pollution harms skin health.
In short:
- A study led by Dr. Raj Fadadu and Dr. Maria Wei revealed a link between wildfire smoke and eczema, a common skin condition.
- Even short-term exposure to polluted air can aggravate symptoms like itchiness and dryness in people with eczema.
- As wildfires increase due to climate change, these findings suggest worsening skin health impacts.
Key quote:
"I feel like as climate change has progressed throughout my youth and adulthood, I'm seeing how a lot of the damage is done to the environment or harming human health — and one of the ways that's happening is through the generation of air pollution."
— Raj Fadadu, dermatologist at the University of San Francisco
Why this matters:
As wildfires grow more frequent, more people may suffer from aggravated skin conditions like eczema. Understanding these effects could lead to better treatment and policy responses.
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Credit: Charles Postiaux/Unsplash
Record-breaking heat scorches Japan and China this summer
Japan experienced its hottest summer on record, while parts of China logged their warmest August ever, as both nations faced extreme heatwaves driven by climate change.
In short:
- Japan recorded its highest average summer temperature since records began in 1898, with more than 8,800 instances of extreme heat.
- China's August temperatures were the highest ever recorded in several regions, leading to school delays and extended holidays in some provinces.
- Climate scientists warn that 2024 may become the hottest year ever recorded due to ongoing global warming.
Why this matters:
The persistent and intensifying heatwaves in Asia highlight the growing impact of climate change, stressing the need for urgent action to mitigate its effects and protect vulnerable populations.
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Credit: Michael Nowinski/Pixabay
Florida cities struggle with climate change as state policy stalls
Florida’s hottest climate and aging population are facing increasing heat-related health risks, but state policy shaped by Governor Ron DeSantis resists comprehensive action.
In short:
- Florida, the hottest state in the U.S., has no statewide plan to address heat-related health risks linked to climate change.
- Local governments and nonprofits are stepping in to fill the gaps left by state policy, though they lack sufficient resources.
- Governor DeSantis has blocked measures that address climate change, focusing instead on limited efforts to manage sea level rise.
Key quote:
“We must adapt to the warming climate, but the decisions we make right now, not addressing the root cause of the problem, is really unacceptable. You cannot adapt your way out of climate change.”
— Susan Glickman, vice president of policy and partnerships at the CLEO Institute
Why this matters:
Florida’s vulnerability to climate change endangers public health, especially for its older population. Without comprehensive state action, these risks will likely worsen, leaving local efforts insufficient to meet growing challenges.
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Credit: Hilary Clark/Pixabay
Isolated people face higher risks during extreme heatwaves
People living alone are at greater risk of death during extreme heatwaves, with cities now developing programs to protect these vulnerable individuals.
In short:
- Social isolation increases the danger of heat-related deaths, especially among the elderly, poor and those without air conditioning.
- Cities like New York and Philadelphia have launched community-based programs to check on vulnerable residents during heatwaves.
- Experts urge more systemic changes, including better investment in public spaces and addressing urban poverty.
Key quote:
“You have to bring the resources to them, to the community, where people know you and you already have that trust.”
— Pastor Brenda of Allen AME Church, Baltimore
Why this matters:
As heatwaves become more common, socially isolated people face a growing risk of death. Strengthening community ties and improving public infrastructure could save lives.
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Credit: Dirk Van Elslande/Pixabay
Heat-related deaths in Europe could triple by 2100 due to climate change
Heat-related deaths in Europe may triple by the century's end, with southern countries like Spain, Italy and Greece facing the greatest impact, a new study warns.
In short:
- If global temperatures rise by 3C to 4C, heat-related deaths in Europe could far exceed the decrease in cold-related deaths.
- The study predicts an increase from 44,000 to 129,000 heat deaths annually by 2100 if temperatures rise significantly.
- Southern Europe, with an aging population, is most at risk from rising temperatures.
Key quote:
“Many more heat-related deaths are expected to occur as the climate warms and populations age, while deaths from cold decline only slightly.”
— David García-León, Joint Research Centre at the European Commission
Why this matters:
With Europe already experiencing record heatwaves, the study highlights the urgent need to address climate change. As the climate warms, vulnerable populations will face greater health risks, stressing public health systems.
For more:
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Wildfires increase risk to pregnant people, but public health response lags
Wildfires pose severe risks to pregnant people, but a new report reveals that public health officials are failing to adequately warn and protect vulnerable populations.
In short:
- Pregnant people are at risk of low birth weight and preterm birth from wildfire exposure, yet public health warnings are insufficient.
- Vulnerable groups, like the unhoused and non-English speakers, lack access to vital safety measures, such as air filters.
- Health providers report a lack of guidance on wildfire-related risks, forcing them to rely on their own research.
Key quote:
“While we know that wildfires are continuing to intensify in the US, and we’re increasingly clear on what damages wildfires represent to maternal and newborn health, we’re still not seeing the kind of response from policymakers and public health officials that we need.”
— Skye Wheeler, researcher at Human Rights Watch
Why this matters:
Wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, increase health risks for pregnant people, with long-term impacts on maternal and newborn health. Immediate action is needed to protect vulnerable communities.
Related EHN coverage:
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