Doctor Who

Health authorities are warning that extreme heat does more than cause physical exhaustion: prolonged exposure can trigger or worsen mental health disorders, alongside heatstroke, dehydration and cardiovascular problems. Brazilian public broadcaster TV Cultura highlighted the risks, noting that heatwaves linked to climate change are becoming more frequent. Doctors advise staying hydrated, avoiding peak sun hours and checking on vulnerable people.

Commentary in The Hill argues that Medicare should do more than pay for treatment after illness, urging the programme to support doctors in preventing disease in the first place. The piece suggests shifting resources toward preventive medicine, including nutrition and lifestyle interventions, to improve patient outcomes and reduce long-term costs for the federal health programme.

An account of pursuing a machine learning doctorate while holding down a job in Japan is drawing attention. The piece covers how the author balanced doctoral research with professional work, a combination that is uncommon in Japan, where PhD programs are typically full-time and few companies support employees studying for advanced degrees.

The University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford is hosting a symposium focused on rural health care, bringing together people to discuss the challenges of delivering medical services in rural communities. The event highlights ongoing concerns about access to doctors, hospitals and care in underserved rural areas of Illinois and beyond. Details about speakers and specific topics discussed remain limited.

The Wall Street Journal is examining what grip strength reveals about overall health. Research has increasingly linked a person's handgrip strength to broader measures of muscle condition, aging and long-term health risks, and simple grip tests are sometimes used as a quick indicator of physical fitness. The piece looks at what the measurement can and cannot tell patients and doctors about wellbeing.

Dermatology specialists are highlighting which skin conditions are getting worse as the climate changes. Rising temperatures, increased UV exposure, humidity shifts and air pollution are linked to flares of eczema, psoriasis, acne and other inflammatory skin diseases, as well as expanding ranges of infections and vector-borne diseases affecting the skin. The discussion forms part of a broader medical response to climate change, urging doctors to recognise environmental factors in skin health.

US broadcaster WDBJ7 reports in its Hometown Health segment that climate change could be linked to an increase in skin diseases. Doctors suggest rising temperatures, more ultraviolet exposure and changing allergen patterns may be driving higher rates of conditions such as eczema, infections and skin cancer, prompting calls for greater awareness and preventive care.