On a seemingly regular day in Clovis, California, Jenny McClelland found herself thrust into a new kind of crisis. Her son, James, who has a rare genetic condition preventing him from breathing while asleep, depends on a ventilator, pulse oximeter, and several other medical devices—all of which need electricity. When the power goes out, as it frequently does in their home, the clock starts ticking for them.
“For years, we relied on the battery in his ventilator, which lasts about four hours,” McClelland explains. They’d even figured out how to jerry-rig the circuit to extend battery life, but each blackout brought a scramble to find solutions.
The McClelland family's struggle is a telling snapshot of a larger issue. Power outages caused by grid failures or extreme weather—a phenomenon on the rise—pose a significant risk to those depending on home medical devices. Some 4.5 million Medicare recipients alone rely on such equipment, including electric wheelchairs and oxygen concentrators, making stable electricity a lifeline.
Climate change only amplifies this risk. Joan Casey, a professor at the University of Washington’s Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Department, emphasizes that climate change is driving “more frequent and more severe weather events” that lead to such outages. A staggering 80% of major power outages from 2000 to 2023 were weather-related, with high winds, storms, wildfires, and floods being primary culprits.
This need for electrical stability connects to broader societal issues. A study by Casey and her colleagues revealed that weather-induced blackouts are more likely to last over eight hours—the critical period where medical device batteries tend to deplete—and disproportionately affect poorer counties. This trend underscores the vulnerability of individuals who lack backup power sources like generators or battery banks, often due to cost.
In light of these findings, planning for outages has never been more crucial. Having backup power such as an inverter, which enables battery charging via a car's cigarette lighter, is a practical step. Communication is equally critical; alerting local fire and police stations ensures they know which households have medically vulnerable individuals. Keeping contacts for medical professionals and local utilities handy can provide a safety net during emergencies.
Persistent issues aren’t exclusive to power dependency. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is investigating illnesses linked to the Cryptosporidium parasite, affecting guests at the Great Wolf Lodge water park. Symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, and low-grade fever have been reported, spotlighting the importance of hygiene to prevent spreading.
Great Wolf Lodge responded by hyperchlorinating their water to ensure safety, a response that demonstrates the ongoing battle to manage public health in communal spaces. The MDH’s advice—to not swim or bathe with others until two weeks post-symptoms—highlights practical steps to manage such outbreaks.
On a much broader scale, health care data breaches present another looming threat. In a recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare, sensitive information of up to one-third of Americans may have been exposed. Residents in Massachusetts and New Hampshire haven’t received individual breach notifications, prompting state attorneys general to urge residents to assume their data has been compromised and take preventive steps like utilizing free credit monitoring offered by Change Healthcare.
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella called the breach “deeply concerning,” noting the reliance on Change Healthcare’s services by thousands of providers, pharmacies, and insurers. The delayed notice to affected individuals is another layer of frustration, adding to the breach's fallout.
In positive public health news, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced $27.5 million in funding aimed at enhancing women’s behavioral health. Issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), these grants aim to strengthen community-based maternal behavioral health services and broaden the capacities of health providers in addressing women’s mental health and substance use issues. This initiative underscores the federal commitment to tackling mental health and overdose crises, aligning with broader goals set by the White House.
In another public health push, local health officials are advising increased COVID-19 testing due to a rise in cases, with positivity rates over 14%. Expanded testing availability and vaccination advice underscore the ongoing efforts to manage the pandemic effectively. Interim Public Health Officer Dr. Ankita Kadakia recommends vaccinations, especially for those with underlying conditions or over 65, and emphasizes the recent 2023-2024 vaccine's effectiveness against severe symptoms from new strains.
As summer progresses and travel increases, staying vigilant about health—whether through robust personal disaster plans for power outages, practicing rigorous hygiene at public venues, safeguarding personal data from cyber threats, embracing newly available mental health resources, or getting vaccinated against COVID-19—has never been more critical. Our interconnected world demands resilience and preparedness, offering a constant reminder of the power and responsibility of collective health and safety efforts.
