Exposure to higher temperatures is an established threat to public health and has been reported to be associated with many medical conditions and deaths. On extremely hot summer days, US adults are reported to be at an increased risk of visiting emergency dept. (ED) rooms for mental health crises related to substance use, anxiety, stress & more.
This is revealed in a study published in the Journal JAMA Psychiatry by Dr Amruta Nori Sarma and her team at Environmental Health at Boston University School Of Public Health. Amruta and her team obtained daily maximum ambient temperature data from the PRISM climate group. To find the relation between higher temperatures and ED visits, data had to be analysed considering various circumstances including age, sex, locations etc.
Finally the studies suggested established an association between higher ambient temperatures & ED visits. The main findings of the study are as follows:
1. There is a higher likelihood of Emergency Department Visits for mental health conditions on days of extreme heat.
2. This adds to growing evidence that warmth brought on by climate change can worsen symptoms of mental health conditions.
3. The findings could inform Public Health measures to prevent worsening of mental health symptoms in susceptible individuals during high temperatures.
4. The key takeaway from this study is that days of extreme heat are also linked to a higher risk of needing care for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use & self harm.
5. Extreme weather events such as droughts, wildfires & floods have a clear impact on the mental well- being of the people who experience them.
However, the persistent anxiety about the future of life on our planet looms and can also take its toll. Many environmental campaigners who are frustrated at the failure of politicians and capitalists to act in time to take measures to prevent the adverse effects of climate change on biodiversity as the planet may experience. Thus it is important to build resilience and to turn “eco-anxiety” into positive action.
Man Day Beach Hot Male Ocean Water Drinking
Climate Change & Hotter Weather Can Impact Mental Health – Study Reveals
Latest from Health
TikTok’s Viral Weight Loss Star Sheds 60 Pounds Fast—The Gut Health Hack Raising Medical Concerns
The latest viral weight loss story from TikTok deserves scrutiny. A content creator, known as @theneptunianbaby, claims to have lost 60 pounds in four months – a rate that demands attention and
Vitamin D Deficiency Affects 70-100% of Indians Despite 330 Sunny Days—Pollution and Melanin Play Key Roles
All the vitamins are vital for our health. Sunlight is the natural source of vitamin D. 90% of vitamin D is produced in the skin via sunlight exposure. Diet provides the remaining
Australia Bans Social Media for Children Under 16 with $49.5M Fines as 77% Public Support Mounts Against Tech Giants
In an unprecedented move affecting digital access for young Australians, the nation’s parliament has enacted legislation barring children under 16 from using major social media platforms. This law positions Australia as the
FDA Battles Supreme Court Over Flavored Vape Ban Amid 1.6 Million Teen Users Crisis
The Supreme Court faces a pivotal decision as it prepares to hear arguments on whether to reinstate the FDA’s ban on sweet-flavored vaping products. The case follows what Trump’s own FDA commissioner
AI Girlfriends Are Perfect but Dangerous: Eric Schmidt Warns of Risks for Young Men Amid 2M Chatbot Users
In a recent discussion that brought artificial intelligence’s social impact into sharp focus, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt raised concerns about AI chatbots designed as romantic companions, particularly their effects on young
Microplastics and PFAS Combine to Create Toxic Effects Threatening Aquatic Life and Ecosystems
New research from the University of Birmingham has exposed concerning evidence about the combined effects of two persistent pollutants – microplastics and PFAS chemicals. The study found that when combined, these substances
Kids’ Skincare Risks: Connecticut AG Warns About Harmful Anti-Aging Products Marketed by Sephora
As reports emerge from Connecticut, a concerning trend in the beauty industry requires attention. Here’s what’s happening with anti-aging products targeting children. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong sent a letter to beauty
Texas Reports First Locally Acquired Dengue Case of 2024 Amid Record-High Infections Since 2002
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported the state’s first locally transmitted dengue fever case of 2024 in Cameron County, marking a concerning development in what has become the highest annual
Kids’ Skincare Products Linked to Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals in Study of 630 Children Across 10 U.S. Cities
Modern research continues to reveal concerning facts about everyday products we thoughtlessly apply to our children’s skin. A new study from George Mason University’s College of Public Health, examining 630 children between
California Detects H5N1 Bird Flu in Raw Milk Amid 20% Sales Surge and 29 Reported Human Cases
California health officials detected H5N1 bird flu virus in raw milk from Raw Farm, prompting a voluntary recall of products with a November 27 expiration date. The discovery comes amid rising raw
Human Cell Atlas Maps 100 Million Cells Across 10,000 People, Revealing Thousands of Unknown Cell Types and Key Health Insights
The ambitious Human Cell Atlas (HCA) project has analyzed over 100 million cells from more than 10,000 people worldwide, challenging our previous understanding of human biology. The international effort marks a substantial
California Confirms First H5N1 Bird Flu Case in a Child Amid 65% of U.S. Dairy Herd Infections
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the first case of H5N1 bird flu in a child in the United States, marking a development in the virus’s spread beyond
California Infant Death Linked to Yu Shang Listeria Outbreak: 72,240 Pounds of Meat Recalled Across 4 States
Having covered food safety for over four decades, this latest listeria outbreak brings a sobering reminder of how some challenges in our food system persist despite technological advances. A devastating listeria outbreak
Chemical in U.S. Water: Chloronitramide Identified in 40 Samples Across 10 Cities After 40 Years
Scientists have identified a chemical that has been noticed in American tap water samples since the 1980s – chloronitramide anion. This chemical, found in water systems serving about 113 million Americans, comes
E. Coli Outbreak Triggers Wolverine Packing Co.’s Recall of Nearly 170,000 Pounds of Ground Beef Across U.S
Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled nearly 170,000 pounds of ground beef distributed to restaurants across the country, as announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The
