Climate change & heat-related illness

 

Summertime, 2022 –  There are more frequent extreme weather events like higher temperatures and heat waves in the United States because of climate change. Heat-related illness is the nation’s leader of weather-related fatalities. There is an average of 35 fatalities a year. The recent heat wave in June with record-breaking temperatures over 100 degrees has affected over 100 million people. University of Michigan Public Health Professor Marie O’Neil comments, “With climate change, extreme weather, including heat, is becoming more frequent and intense. Hot weather has unequal impacts, and seniors, very young children, outdoor workers, people without access to air conditioning, and those with chronic illnesses are among the most vulnerable.”

Many factors have a role creating heat stress including environmental conditions, level of physical activity, type of clothing or protection gear, and individual risk factors. Environmental heat factors include: air temperature, humidity, local radiant heat sources and air flow. The heat index, commonly used to measure environmental conditions, is what the temperature feels like to the human body. It is determined by air temperature and humidity.

People have been warned to limit their exposure to the high temperatures outside. They may overheat very quickly, leading to potential health problems of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Symptoms of heat exhaustion are: headache, dizziness or fainting. Additional symptoms include: weakness, wet skin, confusion, thirst, nausea or vomiting. Heat stroke is a more severe condition and can be fatal. Symptoms include: confusion, passing out, seizures, and hot dry skin. It is recommended that everyone take frequent breaks out of the heat, drink plenty of water (at least one pint of water per hour) and wear light-colored, lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. Acclimatization is a beneficial physiologic adaptation that occurs after repeated exposure to a hot environment.

 

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Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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ASHEVILLE, NC – June 29, 2022 – The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on June 25^th indicate:

• The CDC reports that the risk level for Buncombe County is low for the week ending June 23^rd. Most of Western North Carolina is at low risk level. For a community at a low risk level, the CDC recommends:
  • Have well ventilated indoor spaces
  • If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and take additional precautions.
• There are 197 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days up 8% from 182 cases from the previous week.
• 66% of the total population have received their full primary vaccination series. This is unchanged for over 3 months
• 64% of people with full primary vaccination series have had at least one booster. This is unchanged for the past 2 weeks.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations has increased 8% since last week and of ICU patients are unchanged over the previous week.
• Wastewater surveillance may provide an early warning before individual testing shows that COVID-19 is spreading. The state dashboard reports that the 15-day rate of change of viral load for the Metropolitan Sewer District for Buncombe County is severely increasing for the time period ending June 22^nd. The CDC website reports no recent data for the time period ending June 28^th.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Get vaccinated and boosted when eligible.
• People with any COVID symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

Vaccination sites and testing sites can be located through the North Carolina and Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services.

Save your face masks:

• The risk level may rise with a new variant
• A person at high risk for severe illness should speak with their health care provider
• Mask wearing is recommended for persons with a positive test, having symptoms, or exposure to someone with COVID-19
• Effective May 4, 2022, the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services and the CDC recommend wearing masks in health care and long-term care settings. The N95 or KN95 mask offers the best protection. Wear a mask that is well-fitting.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour