Is Heat Alone Making Us Sick? Understanding the Biology of Extreme Heat and Human Health
From Rawpixel.com Is Heat Alone Making Us Sick? Understanding the Biology of Extreme Heat and Human Health Written by Tayren Ben-Abraham, M.P.H., M.Sc., M.A., M.A. Introduction Summer heat is often viewed as uncomfortable or inconvenient, as something to tolerate and work around. However, extreme heat is no longer just a seasonal discomfort. Heat events are increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity worldwide, raising serious concerns for public health. Most people understand that excessive heat exposure can lead to heat-related illness, and in severe cases, hospitalization or death. But a more important question is often overlooked: is heat itself the problem, or does heat trigger a cascade of biological changes inside t...