Drought conditions contribute to poor air quality and routes for illness to spread. March 25, 2024 By Wynne Armand, MD , Contributor View Protect yourself from the damage of chronic inflammation. What is a drought? A drought is a prolonged dry period without rain. In the last few decades, droughts are occurring more frequently worldwide. With climate change, rising temperatures are making many regions dry within the US and beyond. Here's how to recognize potential harms if drought has a grip where you live, and actions you can take to stay healthy. How do droughts affect our world? The downstream effects of droughts on the planet and our health are complex. One example is water shortages, which can harm crops, livestock, and aquatic life. This compromises food supplies, drives up prices, and worsens food insecurity and malnutrition. Trees, which offer shade during hot weather and help counter climate change, may die during severe droughts. Droughts are making so...
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