Welcome to the official beginning of summertime! Yesterday was the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Bring on the pool parties, picnics, and barbecues! Just be careful not to be one of the hundreds of Missourians who end up in emergency rooms each year with heat-related illnesses.
Climate data shows that we’re experiencing longer, stickier summer heatwaves, and this summer continues that trend. The increasing humidity numbers escalate risk, and heat-related illness can quickly become life-threatening. This week, we’re diving into the signs and treatments with a local expert, so you and loved ones can stay safe.
Meanwhile, if you're looking for ways to stay cool this summer, CoolDown St. Louis is helping qualifying seniors and people with disabilities access air-conditioning units and utility assistance. You can also find a list of local cooling centers across the region here.
As always, please don't hesitate to email me if there are ways this newsletter can be more helpful to you. Stay well—and stay cool—St. Louis!
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New talks coming soon! View a specially curated selection of health and wellness talks or browse the library of more than 200 talks by groundbreaking St. Louisans while you wait.
Summer in St. Louis means heat and humidity. The good news: Most heat-related illnesses are preventable. Dr. Timothy Havens, director of emergency medicine at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, shared what to keep in mind before heading outdoors.
Be heat smart. Whether you're working outside, exercising, attending sporting events, or spending the day at the pool, hydration is critical. Take regular breaks in air conditioning when possible. If you don't have access to a cool indoor space, misting your skin with water and sitting near a fan can help your body cool more effectively.
Know the signs. Heat exhaustion often causes dizziness, faintness, excessive sweating, clammy skin, nausea, and muscle cramps. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that can cause confusion, hot dry skin, loss of consciousness, seizures, and a body temperature above 104 degrees.
Take action. If you feel faint, move to a cooler environment right away. Cold drinks, cool compresses, misting fans, and ice packs can help lower body temperature. If you suspect heat stroke, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.
At events across the metro area, AccuCare Event Medical stays ready in the background, prepared to provide care if needed. Learn more about the services they’ve provided for the last 30 years.
News You Can Use
Summer Sizzle Series
Summer evenings are heating up, and so is the GO! St. Louis Summer Sizzle Series. Runners, walkers, and beginners alike can gather for this popular series of Thursday evening races beginning June 25 with a 2-mile course at Shaw Park. Learn more, and register here.
PLNK Celebrates a Decade
PLNK Fitness is celebrating its 10th anniversary with PLNK | TEN, a studio-wide celebration running July 1–10. The event will feature specialty workshops, giveaways, limited-edition merchandise, community events, exclusive promotions, and more. Founded in Frontenac, PLNK has grown to eight locations across the Midwest and continues to bring its signature Lagree Method workouts to the St. Louis area. Learn more at plnkfitness.com.
Health Care Discovery Camp
Middle school students are invited to attend a free, three-day Health Care Discovery Camp this summer at OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center. Led by hospital nurses and staff, the camp offers an inside look at both clinical and non-clinical careers through interactive learning stations and hands-on activities. Registration closes July 1. Learn more and sign up here.
Excellence in Nursing
Congratulations to the outstanding nurses recognized in SLM's 17th annual Excellence in Nursing Awards, presented by BJC HealthCare and Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. Honorees were selected by a prestigious panel and celebrated at a June 4 reception at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Learn about this year's winners in the June/July issue and online.
This early-morning event on July 1 from 7–9 a.m. will feature adult-focused, small-sided street soccer on closed-down roads near Energizer Park! Learn more here.
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