Climate and Health

Climate and Health  

The weather and climate can affect your health in many ways. This page has information to help you monitor the health of the environment, know how to protect or improve it, and take steps towards a healthier future. 

 

How can you protect your health from extreme weather?  

Extreme Heat: 

Temperatures are rising, and there are more days during the year where temperatures can reach dangerous highs. Monitor the weather, know your risk of heat related illness, and take steps to stay cool and hydrated on hot days.  

• Monitor the heat to know when risk is elevated: https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/environmental/heat_dashboard/index.htm 

• Learn about the impact of extreme heat on your health: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/weather/hot/  

• Find your local cooling centers: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/ 

• Check out the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance HEAP Cooling Benefit to cool your home: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/  

 

Extreme Weather and Flooding:  

• Learn what to do before, during, and after extreme weather and flooding: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/flood/ 

 

Air Quality:  

Climate change can affect air quality and introduce new risks to our health. Monitor the air quality near you and limit your exposure to outdoor air on days when levels can be dangerous. 

• Monitor the air quality to know when risk is elevated: https://www.airnow.gov/  

• On days when the air quality is especially bad, clean air centers may be set up. Follow Broome County Health Department on Facebook to stay updated.  

• Protect your indoor air quality. Get a free home safety check through the Broome County Health Department Healthy Neighborhoods Program:  https://broomecountyny.gov/eh/healthyhomes.  

 

Harmful Algal Blooms:  

• Monitor Harmful Algal Blooms/ Cyanobacteria through EPA’s CyAN App (login required): https://www.epa.gov/water-research/cyanobacteria-assessment-network-application-cyan-app  

 

Ticks:  

• Learn about how to avoid ticks and diseases carried by ticks: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/index.htm  

• Know which ticks are in your communities: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=918dd75dc057498ea38cb02269870cb8  

 

Mosquitos:  

• Some diseases spread by mosquitos have increased in recent years. Learn how to prevent mosquito bites and resulting diseases: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/mosquitoes/  

 

Ultraviolet (UV) Rays:  

• Monitor the UV index:  https://enviro.epa.gov/envirofacts/uv/search/results/address/broome%20county%20ny?forecast=daily   

 

Pollutants:  

• Learn about and locate pollutants, runoff, protected environments, and more by exploring the EPA’s Enviroatlas: https://enviroatlas.epa.gov/enviroatlas/interactivemap/  

 

What can I do to protect the environment?  

• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers several programs to help promote energy efficiency. Check out the following programs and see if you qualify:  https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs   

• Appliance upgrade program: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Appliance-Upgrade-Program  

• Clean energy workforce development programs: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Clean-Energy-Workforce-Development-and-Training  

• Clean transportation programs: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Clean-Transportation-Program  

• Check out the United Nations' guidance for a healthy planet: https://www.un.org/en/actnow/ten-actions  

• Learn about Broome County being a Bronze Certified DEC Climate Smart Community: https://climatesmart.ny.gov/