Category: Public Health
Climate Crisis Is on Track to Push One-Third of Humanity Out of Its Most Livable Environment
Climate change is remapping where humans can exist on the planet. As optimum conditions shift away from the equator and toward the poles, more than 600 million people have already been stranded outside of a crucial environmental niche that scientists say best supports life. By late this century 3 to 6 billion people, or between a third and a half of humanity, could be trapped outside of that zone, facing extreme heat, food scarcity and higher death rates, unless emissions are sharply curtailed or mass migration is accommodated.
How wildfire smoke can harm human health, even when the fire is hundreds of miles away – a toxicologist explains
One concern is that smoke can suppress macrophage function in the lung, altering the immune cell’s function enough that you become more susceptible to respiratory infection.
Climate change is changing public health
In Washington, a new team of epidemiologists is preparing for a hotter, smokier future.
Balance declines with age, but exercise can help stave off some of the risk of falling
A number of physical changes with aging often go unseen preceding falls, including muscle weakness, decreased balance and changes in vision.
Study Reveals Staggering Toll of Being Black in America: 1.6M Excess Deaths Over 22 Years
Because so many Black people die young — with many years of life ahead of them — their higher mortality rate from 1999 to 2020 resulted in a cumulative loss of more than 80 million years of life compared with the white population, the study showed.
The Federal COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ends May 11. What does that mean for you?
This Thursday, the Federal Public Health Emergency Declaration will end, which means there will be changes to how some people receive COVID-19-related care, like testing, treatment, and vaccines.
Q & A on recent Klebsiella outbreak at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Center
As of April 28th, 31 people who were treated at the hospital have have fallen ill with the bacteria and 7 have died.
Washington state COVID-19 exposure app to end May 11
As the Public Health Emergency ends, high levels of vaccination, combined with widespread population immunity and available treatments, have significantly reduced the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID-19
Free Dental, Vision and Medical Care Offered for People in Need
Seattle/King County Clinic returns for an eighth year to Seattle Center, April 27 – 30, with free dental, medical, and eye care services for those who struggle to access or afford healthcare.
Gun Deaths Drive Historic Spike in Child Mortality Rates
After decades of steady improvement, the death rate of America’s children and teens shot up between 2019 and 2021 — and COVID-19 wasn’t the reason.
After Nashville Shooting, Democratic States Push for New Gun Restrictions
In Washington state, Democrats are expecting to enact legislation that would ban semi-automatic rifles, add a 10-day waiting period for gun purchases and allow gun manufacturers and sellers to be liable for negligent sales.
Public Health — Seattle & King County describes its efforts to reduce overdoses
If you are a King County resident, order online to have free naloxone mailed to any address. It arrives in plain packaging to protect your privacy.
Most Americans Say They or a Family Member Has Experienced Gun Violence
Nearly 1 in 5 respondents , including 34% of Black adults, 18% of Hispanic adults, and 17% of white adults, said a family member had been killed by a gun.
Why Finland is the happiest country in the world – an expert explains
Finland comes out top, followed by Denmark and Iceland. Just why Finns are happier than others comes down to a number of factors including lower income inequality (most importantly, the difference between the highest paid and the lowest paid), high social support, freedom to make decisions, and low levels of corruption.
COVID origins debate: what to make of new findings linking the virus to raccoon dogs
While this latest data is one additional piece of the puzzle that supports an origin of the pandemic linked to Wuhan’s animal trade, it is unlikely to provide irrefutable evidence.