Estimating the Burden of Heat-Related Illness Morbidity Attributable to Anthropogenic Climate Change in North Carolina.

Climate change is known to increase the frequency and intensity of hot days (daily maximum temperature ≥30°C), both globally and locally. Exposure to extreme heat is associated with numerous adverse human health outcomes. This study estimated the burden of heat-related illness (HRI) attributable to anthropogenic climate change in North Carolina physiographic divisions (Coastal and Piedmont) during the summer months from 2011 to 2016.

On the Front Lines of Climate Health Effects in North Carolina.

Populations across the United States are vulnerable to- and experiencing health effects from-climate change, and North Carolina is no exception. Health professionals are vital when it comes to identifying and treating such impacts, as well as serving as trusted authorities in educating and protecting communities against climate health threats.

Pollen concentration and asthma exacerbations in Wake County, North Carolina, 2006-2012.

Pollen has been generally linked to an increased risk for asthma exacerbation. However, the delayed effect (lag), the length of effect duration, and the association heterogeneity by pollen types have not been well characterized. Short-term associations between ambient concentration of various pollen types (tree, grass, and weed) and emergency department (ED) visits for asthma were assessed using data in Wake County, North Carolina, during 2006-2012.

Relative benefits of on-plot water supply over other 'improved' sources in rural Vietnam.

Objective: Access to improved water sources is rapidly expanding in rural central Vietnam. We examined one NGO-led piped water supply programme to assess the drinking water quality and health impacts of piped water systems where access to 'improved' water sources is already good.

Methods: This longitudinal, prospective cohort study followed 300 households in seven project areas in Da Nang province, Vietnam: 224 households who paid for an on-plot piped water connection and 76 control households from the same areas relying primarily on 'improved' water sources outside the home.

Reducing the effects of environmental inhibition in quantitative real-time PCR detection of adenovirus and norovirus in recreational seawaters.

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is used commonly to detect adenovirus (Ads) and norovirus (Nvs) in recreational waters. However, qPCR detection may be limited by interference from inhibitory substances found in recreational waters. In previous work, viruses in Avalon and Doheny Beach water samples were concentrated by electropositive cartridge filtration and PEG precipitation, and high inhibition was found in the samples when using qPCR for detection of Ads and Nvs.