Children are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, a new report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows. Climate change can affect learning, physical health and housing security, which can last throughout the child’s life, according to the report. “Understanding health risks to children is critical for developing effective and equitable strategies…  read on >  read on >

Traffic deaths are down on U.S. roadways, but the small drop pales in comparison to the surging rate of recent years. Deaths in traffic crashes fell 0.3% last year compared to 2021, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). On average, crashes claimed the lives of 117 people a day — more…  read on >  read on >

Marijuana legalization in the United States appears to be driving an increase in car crash deaths due to a jump in “intoxicated driving,” researchers say. In 4 out of 7 states that legalized recreational cannabis, deaths from car crashes rose 10%, according to the University of Illinois Chicago study. On a brighter note, suicide and…  read on >  read on >

Florida has yet another new mosquito species in its midst that has migrated from the tropics, settling in at least three counties since 2018. It’s not yet clear whether this one, called Culex lactator, will contribute to transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the state, but scientists are concerned about the rate of new mosquitoes arriving…  read on >  read on >

“Baby on Board” warning stickers apply even when there’s a mom-to-be in the vehicle, a new study argues. Pregnant women involved in traffic collisions are at heightened risk of potentially serious birth complications, even if the wreck only involves minor injuries, researchers report. These complications can include dislodgement of the placenta, very heavy bleeding, and…  read on >  read on >

Hurricanes not only disrupt the communities they affect, they also pose an increased risk of death for people with dementia. This heightened risk could owe to disruption in their normal routines, changes in their living environment or even changes in access to caregiving or medications, a University of Michigan researcher said. “The important message is…  read on >  read on >