Latest News On Environmental Health

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Nuclear Missile Workers Are Contracting Cancer. They Blame the Bases.

KFF Health News Original

People who maintained the nation’s land-based nuclear missile arsenal are coming down with similar cancers. The Air Force is wrapping up a large study of the health risks they may have faced.

At Least 170 US Hospitals Face Major Flood Risk. Experts Say Trump Is Making It Worse.

KFF Health News Original

As a warming climate intensifies storms, KFF Health News has identified more than 170 U.S. hospitals at risk of significant and potentially dangerous flooding. Climate experts warn that the Trump administration’s cuts leave the nation less prepared.

20 Years After Katrina, Louisiana Still Struggles With Evacuation Plans That Minimize Health Risks

KFF Health News Original

As the climate changes, hurricanes are intensifying more quickly, leaving Louisiana’s current mass evacuation plan in limbo. But transportation officials say the price is too high to switch to methods used in Florida and Texas.

Ticks Are Migrating, Raising Disease Risks if They Can’t Be Tracked Quickly Enough

KFF Health News Original

Doctors need to know when to screen for tick-borne diseases in their communities. But it’s getting harder for local health departments to get funding for tick surveys as federal public health grants from agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dry up.

Las garrapatas migran y aumentan los riesgos de enfermedades si no se las rastrea con rapidez

KFF Health News Original

El cambio climático provocado por los humanos ha acortado los inviernos, lo que hace que las garrapatas pasen menos tiempo en hibernación y tengan más meses de actividad para engancharse a animales y personas.

Climate Activists Cite Health Hazards in Bid To Stop Trump From ‘Unleashing’ Fossil Fuels

KFF Health News Original

Buoyed by a Montana court ruling upholding state residents’ right to a “clean and healthful environment,” nearly two dozen people ages 7 to 24 hope to block the Trump administration’s executive orders on energy.

When I Go, I’m Going Green

KFF Health News Original

In a survey by the National Funeral Directors Association, more than 60% of respondents said they would be interested in exploring green and natural burial alternatives.

This Physician-Scientist Is Taking on Trump on Behalf of Disadvantaged Communities

KFF Health News Original

California researcher Neeta Thakur is leading a challenge to President Donald Trump’s new administration — one that pits public health science against political ideology. Whether she prevails could influence both the future of academic research and the health of those she’s spent her life trying to help.

Amid PFAS Fallout, a Maine Doctor Navigates Medical Risks With Her Patients

KFF Health News Original

A doctor doing environmental health research in rural Maine is working to establish the best practices to treat patients exposed to “forever chemicals,” potentially leading the way for practitioners across the nation.

Los Angeles Weighs a Disaster Registry. Disability Advocates Warn Against False Assurances.

KFF Health News Original

Amid increasingly frequent natural disasters, several states have turned to registries to prioritize help for vulnerable residents. But while some politicians see these registries as a potential solution to a public health problem, many disability advocates say they endanger residents with mobility problems by giving a false sense of security.

As Mosquito Season Peaks, Officials Brace for New Normal of Dengue Cases

KFF Health News Original

In recent years, locally acquired dengue cases have appeared in California, Florida, and Texas, parts of the U.S. where the disease isn’t endemic. Health and vector control officials worry that with climate change and the lack of a vaccine, dengue will take hold in a larger swath of North America.

Volunteers Help Tornado-Hit St. Louis Amid Wait for Federal Aid

KFF Health News Original

As St. Louis deals with more than $1.6 billion in estimated property damage from the May 16 tornado, locals are pouring in to help the hard-hit area of North St. Louis. It’s unclear if residents can count on federal support as they rebuild.

This Bill Aims To Help Firefighters With Cancer. Getting It Passed Is Just the Beginning.

KFF Health News Original

Amid the Los Angeles wildfires, California’s U.S. senators cosponsored legislation that would provide support to first responders who develop or die from service-related cancers. But those involved with similar efforts say the road to implementation is rough and paved with long waits, restrictive eligibility requirements, and funding issues.

Public Health Risks of Urban Wildfire Smoke Prompt Push for More Monitoring

KFF Health News Original

As the fires burned in Los Angeles, scientists and local air regulators deployed monitors to measure the levels of heavy metals, carcinogens, and other toxic substances released into the air when homes, buildings, and cars burned. They hope their efforts will inform ongoing cleanup efforts and protect the public in future fires.

Fires Undercut L.A.’s Headway on Homelessness

KFF Health News Original

As Los Angeles recovers from historic wildfires, both previously unsheltered and chronically homeless people are facing even greater instability. Some lawmakers and providers argue now is the time to put in even more resources to maintain the progress the county and state have made in fighting the crisis.

Future of Cancer Coverage for Women Federal Firefighters Uncertain Under Trump

KFF Health News Original

In the waning days of the Biden administration, the Labor Department added ovarian, uterine, cervical, and breast cancer coverage for wildland firefighters. It’s unclear whether the new protections will stick under Trump.