by Michele Late
The Watch: Coal-Fired Power Plants Often Located in Disadvantaged Communities
Living near coal plants is linked to diseases, higher risk of death … EPA curtails information about air pollution health impacts … and more.
Health Coverage Declining As Americans Struggle With Costs
Many of those with coverage remain underinsured … Family caregivers struggle with soaring costs … and more.
Data Center Boom Puts Pressure on U.S. Water Supplies
More than a fifth of data centers are in areas where water demand exceeds supply…black lung disease still threatens coalminers…PFAS’ contamination of drinking water could be twice as much as reported…and more
Hidden PFAS Found in Bottled Drinks, Tap Water
Sports drinks and electrolyte waters contained high levels of contaminants … ED visits spike when ‘peaker’ power plants fire up … and more.
U.S. Pharmacy Closures Are Deepening Inequities
Millions of Americans are left without access to prescription medications … Military and outdoor workers face the highest rates of death from heat … and more.
Pesticide Contamination Threatens Drinking Water Sources
Atrazine is detected at harmful levels in more a quarter of rivers and stream miles … Few volunteer firefighters get health screenings … and more.
Utilities Ramping Up Fossil Fuels to Meet Growing Power Demand
Data centers, other digital users account for sharp rise in future power demands …Stronger El Niño could lead to more heat-related deaths…and more.
Drought-Flood Whiplash Intensifies as Climate Warms
Frequent extreme shifts in weather challenge communities’ preparedness …Lagging protections pose health risks as data centers boom … and more.
Uninsured Americans Still Pay Heavily into U.S. Healthcare
Taxes make up of most of uninsured healthcare payments…heavy rainfall spreads microplastic pollution, threatening water quality…extreme heat now extending past summer…and more
Rising Healthcare Spending Drives Insurance Premium Increases
Insurance-covered health claims account for 91% of premium increases … Millions of Americans lack home AC to cut risk of heat-related deaths … and more.
Federal Policy Changes, Economy Stressing US Workers
More than half of US workers feel job security pressure…preventable health crises costing large numbers of US lives…mental health declining for mothers of children, teens…and more
Stronger Hurricanes to Cause More Damage
Texas faces worst potential hurricane losses…most Americans support measles vaccines…microplastics in chicken nuggets, other processed foods can harm mental health
Deaths, Illnesses From Wildfire Smoke Mount Worldwide
A billion people worldwide had ‘significant’ indoor exposure to wildfire air pollution…abortion restrictions increase women’s mental distress…nurses exposed to disinfectants face higher risk of cardiovascular disease…and more
More Climate Disasters are Harming Mental Health
Depression, anxiety, PTSD intensify after climate disasters…millions could lose federal health care under signup changes…personal care products expose women of color to formaldehyde…and more
Trump’s Public Health Leaders Undermine Trust for Some
Americans split on how politics affects public health…low-water incidents can increase illnesses…more than half of US counties lack air-quality monitoring…and more
Measles Could Surge Without More Vaccinations
A once-eliminated disease could infect thousands…Half of Americans breathe unhealthy air…Job burnout remains high for health workers since pandemic…And more.
Texas Ranks Highest for Harmful Chemicals in Water
Unsafe drinking water linked to disinfectants … Arsenic in rice could rise with climate change … Mattresses may expose kids to harmful chemicals … and more.
Hospitals, patients face threats to emergency care
Low payments, high demand put hospital EDs at risk … patients fare worse at hospitals serving Black communities …microplastics from Texas bays polluting Gulf … and more
