Emergency room visits for injuries related to driving under the influence of cannabis skyrocketed in Canada after the drug was legalized there, a new study reports. In October 2018, Canada became the second country to nationally legalize recreational or nonmedical cannabis for adult use. While known cannabis-involved emergency department (ED) visits for traffic injuries were…  read on >  read on >

Heat domes and extreme heat waves have been battering the United States for years now, and a new study shows that increasing temperatures are doing real harm to humans. A significant increase in heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion has occurred during the past two decades among patients treated at U.S. Department of…  read on >  read on >

Starting Wed., Aug. 30, travelers to China will no longer need a negative COVID test to enter that country, officials announced Monday. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced the plan in a government news release, marking a big milestone in a country that has enforced strict lockdowns and “zero COVID” policies during the pandemic.…  read on >  read on >

Death rates skyrocket during extreme weather events among the most vulnerable Americans, especially those from minority groups. A study looking at hurricanes over more than three decades showed that their impacts varied and were driven by differences in social, economic and demographic factors such as race. “Really, we wanted to understand what the comparative impact…  read on >  read on >

While the record-breaking heat the United States is experiencing this summer can stress people to their limits, it can be particularly hard to navigate for those with mental health issues. “All mental illnesses increase with heat because it results in more fatigue, irritability and anxiety, and it can exacerbate depressive episodes,” said Dr. Asim Shah,…  read on >  read on >