Who is most susceptible to heat? It could be YOU!

July 23, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

Temperatures this week are expected to rise into the low 90s, with some humidity. To my friends in Los Angeles and New Mexico, that’s scarcely hot enough to raise an eyebrow. But here in King County, most people don’t have air conditioning, so our local emergency departments see an uptick of people with serious health […]

5 reasons why hot weather raises health alarms

August 1, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

Hot weather isn’t just uncomfortable – it can be dangerous. When temperatures are very hot in King County, we see a rise in the number of hospitalizations, Emergency Medical Service calls, and most sadly, deaths. And it’s not just heat stroke and heat exhaustion: heart problems, stroke, and kidney failure are common health problems on […]

Limiting sugary drinks can make a difference in children’s health

June 9, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

By Patty Hayes, Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County Limiting sugary drinks are an important step for public health and particularly for the health of children and youth. All children deserve to grow up healthy, but children today could be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents. This is, […]

It’s not just you. It’s the cost of food, too.

June 2, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

If you are going to talk about access to healthy food, you have to talk about affordability. Why is Top Ramen cheaper than veggies? – King County resident This was the crux of a community conversation in South King County where residents shared the on-the-ground challenges to eating healthier food–challenges that go far beyond just […]