{
  "id": 646105,
  "title": "Opinion: Climate change is making people with chronic illness even sicker",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/opinion-climate-change-is-making-people-with-chronic-illness-even",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T08:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "STAT News",
    "slug": "stat-news",
    "url": "https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/12/climate-change-chronic-disease-heat-smoke-arthritis-lupus-pots/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chicago was enveloped in a smoky haze, trees appearing as ghostly silhouettes on a July summer marked by record-breaking air quality due to Canadian wildfires. Even with windows closed and air purifiers in use, the suffocating air left the reporter with headaches, a sore throat, and burning eyes, exacerbating her pre-existing chronic illnesses. She has been living with six chronic conditions for most of her adult life, including endometriosis, psoriatic arthritis, Celiac disease, Graves and Hashimoto’s diseases, and interstitial cystitis.\n\nShe noted that her joint pain intensified in cooler, wet weather and was prone to overheating when temperatures soared above 90 degrees. She is not alone in this experience, as she has spoken with many others with various chronic conditions about the impact of weather on their symptoms. Those with lupus need to avoid the sun, while some with psoriasis find relief from it; storms can trigger migraines and joint pain; hot weather exacerbates postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The body’s unique response to weather patterns makes it challenging for patients to predict what might trigger a flare.",
  "summary": "“What research can definitively tell us is that climate change is here, and it’s already making people sick,” writes Lorraine Boissoneault.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chicago experiences record-breaking air quality due to Canadian wildfires in July.",
    "Reporter's chronic illnesses worsen in smoky haze, despite precautions.",
    "Weather patterns significantly impact symptoms of various chronic conditions."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Climate change is worsening health issues for people with chronic illnesses by intensifying symptoms, triggering flares, and creating unpredictable and challenging conditions for patients to manage their conditions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}