How can the climate affect my health? 

As weather patterns like temperature, wind, and precipitation continue to change, New York will continue to see an increase in climate-related health risks. Changes in temperature and rainfall have negative impacts on the health of New Yorkers due to:

Extreme Heat 

Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. Learn more about the dangers of extreme heat by visiting the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s website at https://www.ready.gov/heat.

Ways to stay cool:

• Stay in air conditioning. If you need assistance paying for home cooling costs or with purchasing an air conditioner, visit the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) site at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#cooling-assistance.

• Find a local cooling station near you by visiting the NYS Department of Health’s website at  https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/.

• Go swimming at one of Fulton County’s Public Beaches

⋄ Caroga Lake State Campground & Day Use Area 
⋄ Northampton Beach State Campground 
⋄ Pine Lake Park & Campground 
⋄ Town of Mayfield Beach 
⋄ For more information, visit Fulton County’s travel and tourism website at https://www.44lakes.com/beaches/.

Vector-borne Diseases 

Vector-borne diseases are passed from animals to humans, usually through mosquitos, ticks, and fleas.

Lyme disease is commonly seen in upstate New York and is caused by tick bites. Please visit New York State’s Department of Health website to learn more at https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2813/.

Air Pollution 

Air pollution caused by ground-level ozone and airborne particles poses a threat to your health. Poor air quality can worsen chronic health and pose additional risks to elderly people and children. Learn more about how to check air quality before spending time outdoors by visiting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website at https://www.airnow.gov/.

• AQI Particulate Matter: Good (11)  Ozone: Good (17)  Reading taken on 2025-05-19
• https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/  
• To learn more about how climate can affect your health, visit the Center for Disease Control’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/climate-health/php/effects/air-pollution.html.

Flooding

Increases in rainfall and extreme weather events result in an increased risk of flooding. Flooding can lead to injuries, contamination, and the spread of illness in addition to dangerous road closures and property damage.

Stay informed about flood alerts by visiting the National Weather Service’s website at https://www.weather.gov/forecastmaps/.