## Wegovy's Once-Daily Weight Loss Pill Is Now Available in the UK

British consumers looking for an alternative to weight-loss injections now have a new option at their fingertips. The oral version of Wegovy — the blockbuster weight-loss treatment — has officially arrived on UK pharmacy shelves, available for private purchase both in-store and online. However, it has not yet been approved for NHS prescriptions.

Like its injectable counterpart, the tablet contains semaglutide as its active ingredient and is intended to be used as part of a broader lifestyle approach that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

---

## Pill vs. Injection: Which One Is Right for You?

Both the tablet and the injection deliver the same core ingredient and clinical trials indicate they perform at a comparable level of effectiveness. The choice between them largely comes down to personal preference and lifestyle.

- **Needle-averse?** The daily pill may be the more comfortable route.
- **Prefer flexibility?** The weekly injection can be administered at any time of day and doesn't require fasting beforehand — though it does need to be refrigerated.
- **Struggle with daily routines?** The injection's once-weekly schedule might suit you better than committing to a strict daily pill protocol.

---

## Who Is Eligible?

The eligibility criteria for the pill closely mirror those for the injection:

- A **BMI of 30 or above** (classified as obese), or
- A **BMI between 27 and 30** (overweight) combined with a weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure

Regardless of which format you choose, a medical consultation — conducted either in person or through an online platform — is required before starting treatment to ensure it is medically appropriate for you.

---

## Where Can You Get It?

A growing number of high street and online pharmacies are rolling out stock of the new tablet. Availability may vary by location, so it's worth checking with your local pharmacy or registering on a waiting list or mailing list to be notified when supplies become available near you.

---

## How Does It Work?

Semaglutide targets receptors in the brain that regulate appetite. By activating these receptors, the medication helps users feel fuller for longer, experience reduced hunger, and diminish cravings — all of which contribute to lower calorie intake and gradual weight loss over time.

---

## Potential Side Effects

As with any medication, there are side effects to be aware of. Both the pill and the injection share a similar profile:

### Common Side Effects
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation and diarrhoea
- Stomach discomfort
- Headaches
- Fatigue

### Injection-Specific Side Effects
- Mild skin reactions at the injection site, including redness, itching, or slight swelling

### Rare but Serious Complications
- Low blood sugar levels
- Pancreatitis
- Severe allergic reactions

Always review the patient information leaflet thoroughly and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns. The medication is **not suitable** for individuals under 18, those who are pregnant, or those who are breastfeeding.

---

## How to Take the Pill Correctly

The tablet comes with a specific set of instructions designed to maximise absorption by the body. Failing to follow these guidelines may reduce its effectiveness.

**Key rules for taking the pill:**
1. Take it on an empty stomach after **at least eight hours of fasting**
2. Wait a minimum of **30 minutes** before eating, drinking anything other than plain water, or taking other medications
3. Swallow the tablet whole with **up to 120ml of still water only** — not sparkling water, tea, or coffee
4. Take it at the **same time each day** to build a consistent routine

If you miss a dose, do not double up. Simply skip that day and resume your normal schedule the following day.

---

## Dosage and Treatment Timeline

Treatment begins with a **1.5mg tablet once daily** for the first month. Following a medical review, the dose is gradually increased each month until reaching the recommended maximum of **25mg once daily**.

As with the injection, results take time — it may be several months before the full benefits are realised. It's also important to note that weight regain is possible after discontinuing the medication.

### Switching From the Injection to the Pill

Patients currently using a 2.4mg semaglutide injection on a private basis may be able to transition to the 25mg daily tablet. However, this switch must always be made under medical supervision, as the optimal dosage and format will differ from person to person.

---

*Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any weight-loss medication.*

The Wegovy oral weight loss pill is now available privately in UK pharmacies. Learn who qualifies, how to take it, and what side effects to expect.

Wegovy Weight Loss Pill Now Available in UK Pharmacies

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Wegovy Weight Loss Pill Lands in UK Pharmacies: Everything You Need to Know

## NHS App to Deploy AI Triage Technology Across England

The National Health Service has announced plans to integrate artificial intelligence into its official app, using smart triage software to help patients in England identify and access the most appropriate healthcare services available to them.

The AI-powered feature will guide users through a series of targeted questions before recommending a course of action — whether that means booking a GP appointment, visiting a pharmacy, seeking emergency care at A&E, accessing a community health service, or simply following self-care guidance at home.

## Rollout Timeline and Reach

NHS England confirmed the tool will be made available to more than 200,000 patients within the next 12 months, with a full rollout to all app users across England expected by April 2028. The initiative forms part of what the health service has described as a sweeping technological overhaul, supported by a £10 billion government investment committed in 2025 to modernise NHS digital, data, and technology infrastructure.

Health Secretary James Murray was quick to clarify the scope of the technology, stating that the AI system would not make final clinical decisions about whether patients see a doctor. Speaking on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Murray framed the rollout as a means to modernise healthcare delivery and ensure that its benefits reach communities across the country.

Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive of NHS England, said the tool was designed to connect patients with the right service at the first point of contact, freeing up GP appointments for those who need them most urgently.

## Early Trials Show Promising Results

An initial pilot at Wealden Ridge Medical Partnership in Sussex produced encouraging outcomes, with a 29% drop in the number of patients queuing on the phone to book appointments — a persistent pressure point that typically peaks when GP phone lines open at 08:00 each morning.

Dr Ragu Rajan, a practitioner at the surgery, welcomed the impact of the tool on both patients and staff. He noted that it had not replaced clinical judgment but instead given clinicians the time and capacity to apply it more effectively.

## AI Notetaking to Expand Across NHS Trusts

Alongside the triage tool, NHS England announced a wider rollout of AI-assisted transcription software that records consultations between patients and healthcare professionals, generating real-time notes and clinical summaries automatically.

The initial phase will focus on outpatient hospital appointments at four NHS trusts in and around London: St George's, Epsom and St Helier, Croydon, and Kingston and Richmond. Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust are also extending their existing AI notetaking programmes.

A clinical trial conducted across nine NHS sites in London, led by Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, found that staff using the notetaking technology spent nearly 25% more time engaging directly with patients — a significant finding for those advocating improved patient-centred care.

## Healthcare Leaders Urge Caution Alongside Optimism

The announcement has drawn broad support from across the healthcare sector, though several organisations have called for safeguards to be built into the system from the outset.

Professor Lynn Woolsey, Chief Nursing Officer at the Royal College of Nursing, described the rollout as a potentially important step forward in modernising NHS infrastructure, adding that it could ease the administrative load on nursing staff. However, she stressed that patient safety and confidentiality must remain central to any AI-driven triage process, and that qualified health professionals must retain decision-making authority at critical stages.

Pritesh Mistry, a fellow at the King's Fund health policy think-tank, said the initiative had the potential to accelerate meaningful improvements in how the NHS harnesses modern technology. She also highlighted the importance of ensuring that digitally excluded individuals are not left behind as clinical services become increasingly reliant on technology-based solutions.

## Opposition Calls for Accountability and Value

Conservative shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew offered a cautiously supportive response, acknowledging that innovation benefiting patient care and NHS efficiency should be embraced. He nonetheless called for any new technology to be underpinned by a fully costed plan that delivers genuine value for taxpayers.

As the NHS continues its digital transformation journey, the coming months will be a critical test of whether AI can meaningfully improve access to care — without compromising the safety, privacy, or inclusivity that patients rightly expect.

The NHS is rolling out an AI triage tool on its app to direct England's patients to the right care. Full rollout expected by April 2028 under a £10bn tech overh

NHS App Introduces AI Triage Tool to Guide Patient Care

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NHS App Gets AI-Powered Triage Tool to Direct Patients to the Right Care

## A Industry Built by Men — Until Now

Step onto the factory floor at Furniture International on the outskirts of Nairobi, and the noise is relentless — circular saws whirring, hammers striking, machinery grinding. To be heard, you have to raise your voice. For 24-year-old Diana Ojiambo, that took some getting used to.

"At first, I was very shy," she admits, guiding cabinet panels through a PVC edging machine, a blue bandana keeping her braids in place. "I didn't know how to stand in front of people and speak up. But now I can."

Ojiambo is not alone. Scattered across the same workshop floor, three other women sand and assemble cabinetry while 23-year-old Jane Mwangi — now a supervisor — moves methodically between stations, checking measurements and keeping the workflow on track. Twelve months ago, not one of them had set foot inside this industry.

## A Workforce Gap That's Hard to Ignore

Kenya's construction sector is booming, especially in Nairobi, where cranes and scaffolding have become fixtures of the skyline as the industry swells into a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse. Yet despite this explosive growth, women remain almost invisible within it.

Data from Kenya's National Construction Authority reveals that women account for a mere 3% of the country's accredited construction artisans. Those who do find work in the sector are overwhelmingly channeled into low-paid, informal roles — hauling sand, carrying water, sweeping sites — rather than being trained for skilled, higher-paying positions. On top of that, women in Kenya continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid domestic and caregiving responsibilities, making it even harder to enter and advance in demanding trades.

## Buildher: Rewriting the Rules

Founded in 2019, Nairobi-based nonprofit Buildher was created specifically to dismantle these barriers. The organization runs intensive year-long training and internship programs covering carpentry, tiling, painting, and other specialist finishing trades — equipping women with the practical skills needed to compete for steadier, better-compensated roles in the sector.

The results speak for themselves. Buildher reports that it has trained more than 1,000 women since its launch, with graduates typically increasing their average daily earnings by five to six times within a year of completing the program — jumping from roughly $1.50 per day to between $11 and $12. A 2024 study conducted by global development advisory firm Dalberg further found that approximately 65% of Buildher graduates remained employed in construction a full year after finishing the course.

### The Vision Behind the Movement

"I had seen women get stuck in low-paying jobs, and it was like a mental barrier where they couldn't see the potential right in front of them," says architect and Buildher cofounder Tatu Gatere. "So I wanted to help women see that."

Gatere understands the challenge from personal experience. Even as women began climbing into leadership roles within architecture firms, construction sites remained unwelcoming — often hostile — territory. "You're supposed to be a decision maker, but you'd still be getting catcalled and harassed by men," she reflects.

Much of Buildher's growth has been organic, spreading through word of mouth as graduates return to their communities and encourage friends and neighbors to apply. The simple act of seeing another woman succeed in a trade, Gatere explains, can be enough to make the possibility feel real.

## From Kibera to the Workshop Floor

For Diana Ojiambo, a single mother of two living in Nairobi's Kibera informal settlement, the program arrived at a critical moment. Unemployed and struggling to provide for her children, she heard about Buildher through a friend and decided to take a chance.

"My life was so challenging," she says. "But now I can support myself, I can support my kids."

Her ambitions don't stop there. Within the next year, Ojiambo plans to launch her own carpentry business back in Kibera. She's candid about the skepticism she still encounters from some male colleagues. "Inside this company, some of the men still think we ladies are not fit for this kind of work," she says. "But if you know what you want, and you believe in yourself, you show them that whatever they can do, you can do better."

## Inside the Training Center

Early on a clear weekday morning, young women gather outside the cobalt-blue entrance of Buildher's training facility in Nairobi's busy Baba Dogo industrial district. The campus sits within Spectrum Business Park, a network of warehouse buildings tucked behind green corrugated rooftops.

Inside one workshop, trainees crouch over a concrete floor, carefully spreading tile adhesive before dragging notched trowels through it to create uniform ridges. Trainer Robert Ndungu circulates between them, kneeling occasionally to demonstrate correct technique before the women scrape the adhesive back into buckets and begin the process again.

"These women come here knowing nothing about tiling," Ndungu says. "By the end of this training, they are able to work, earn money and improve the life of their family. That really inspires me."

In a nearby conference hall, 16 new trainees have just completed orientation and are settling in for an introductory session on solar installation — a newly launched course reflecting Buildher's expansion into additional technical fields.

## Training the Whole Person, Not Just the Worker

Gatere is quick to point out that mastering a trade represents only part of what women need to succeed in this environment. Many trainees arrive carrying burdens that reach far beyond the workshop — financial hardship, childcare obligations, resistance from husbands or parents uncomfortable with women taking on construction roles, and genuine fear of harassment in male-dominated workplaces.

Buildher's response has been to build a support system that addresses these challenges head-on. The program includes regular physical conditioning — calisthenics, lifting drills, and strength training to prepare women for physically demanding work. Yoga and mindfulness sessions are held alongside technical classes, helping trainees develop resilience, focus, and confidence under pressure.

Beyond fitness, Buildher employs a dedicated mental health coach and an on-site nutritionist. Trainees also participate in group wellness sessions every two weeks, a structure developed directly from feedback about the personal and professional difficulties women faced throughout the program.

### Results Beyond the Paycheck

The Dalberg study — drawing on survey responses from 354 women working across Kenya's construction industry — suggests these holistic investments are delivering meaningful returns. Buildher graduates reported not just higher incomes but also increased participation in household decision-making and stronger connections within their communities.

"They also take more pride in what they do," notes Naoko Koyama, a Dalberg partner who contributed to the research. She argues that the combination of technical and soft-skills training offers a replicable model for challenging gender exclusion across a range of male-dominated industries.

## One More Story of Transformation

Among those attending a yoga session on campus is 27-year-old Ruth Kiarie, a single mother who enrolled in Buildher's painting and decorating program just two weeks prior. Her interest in the trade was sparked while volunteering to renovate classrooms in Kibera as part of a community leadership initiative — proof that for many women, the path into construction begins not in a factory, but in the heart of their own neighborhood.

Stories like Kiarie's, Ojiambo's, and Mwangi's are becoming more common. And as Buildher continues to grow — expanding its course offerings, deepening its support structures, and sending more graduates into the workforce — the construction industry in Kenya may never look quite the same again.

Buildher, a Nairobi nonprofit, is training Kenyan women in construction trades — boosting earnings fivefold and reshaping a male-dominated industry.

Kenyan Women Break Into Construction With Buildher

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Breaking Ground: How Kenyan Women Are Shattering Barriers in the Construction Industry

## Why 30 Minutes of Walking a Day Is Easier Than You Think

NHS England is preparing to launch a "marathon a month" challenge that encourages participants to walk roughly 30 minutes per day throughout the course of a month. Those who complete it will qualify for exercise-related rewards, though the full details are yet to be confirmed. The initiative is expected to roll out next year as part of a broader push to improve physical activity levels across the UK.

But while official incentives are still being finalized, hundreds of everyday walkers have already figured out what truly keeps them moving. When BBC Your Voice asked readers about their walking habits, the responses pointed to something far more powerful than rewards: better mental health, a deeper connection with nature, and the simple power of routine.

Here is how real people are hitting their daily step goals — and how you can too.

## Break It Up Throughout the Day

One of the most practical pieces of advice is to stop thinking of your 30 minutes as a single block of time. Walking before work, during a lunch break, or after dinner all count. Even three separate 10-minute walks across the day deliver exactly the same benefit.

For those living near natural landscapes, the motivation almost takes care of itself. One coastal resident in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, says he easily hits his half-hour target simply by heading to the beach. He often sets a timer and picks a visible landmark to walk toward. "There's something about the movement of walking that clears your mind," he explains. "I love walking for my mental health."

His core advice: treat walking as part of your daily rhythm rather than a structured workout. Once it becomes habitual, the benefits — both physical and mental — become impossible to ignore.

## Use Your Commute to Your Advantage

For commuters and regular bus users, one clever approach is to board or exit the bus a stop or two earlier than necessary. A reader from the UK does exactly this, covering shorter journeys entirely on foot and using her town centre run — normally just four bus stops away — as an opportunity to walk both ways. She even loads her shopping into a backpack for the return trip, effectively turning the walk into a light resistance workout.

The beauty of this strategy is that it requires no additional time set aside specifically for exercise. It simply reimagines journeys you are already making.

## Get a Dog — Or Borrow One

If you are looking for built-in accountability, dog ownership may be the ultimate walking motivator. One reader walks his dog Max for 45 minutes each morning before work and again in the evening, rain or shine, taking full advantage of the parks and forests near his home in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

"Once you know you have the responsibility to keep him exercised and entertained, you have the motivation to go out," he says. It is hard to argue with that logic.

## Ditch the Car and Walk Everywhere

Geoffrey, 82, and his wife Carole have a straightforward philosophy: if they need to go somewhere, they walk. The Bedford couple do not own a car, which means everyday errands — food shopping, visiting the town centre, attending appointments — all contribute to their daily step count. They typically reach at least 4,500 steps through regular activity alone.

Geoffrey, who is managing both diabetes and bladder cancer treatment, sometimes walks even further on hospital appointment days. Their story is a compelling reminder that consistent, moderate movement is accessible at virtually any age or health stage.

## Reclaim Your Mental Space

For a 31-year-old from Maidstone, Kent, the daily walk to work is not just about physical health — it is protected personal time. In a world that rarely slows down, she values the uninterrupted space walking provides to think, reflect, and simply be alone with her thoughts.

"It feels like it's a bit more for you," she says. Her advice to anyone who finds solitude uncomfortable: just go. "You never feel worse for going out walking."

## Age Is No Barrier

One 80-year-old woman began walking regularly when she retired at 61 and has not stopped since. She covers five miles every single day, pausing only when snow or ice makes conditions unsafe. Friends and acquaintances regularly tell her she looks far younger than her years — something she greets with good-natured skepticism.

Her consistency over nearly two decades speaks volumes about what a simple daily habit can do for long-term health and vitality.

## Bad Weather? Try a Walking Pad

For days when the weather refuses to cooperate, an indoor walking pad — a compact, flat treadmill designed for home use — can remove every last excuse to stay sedentary. One reader keeps hers at home and uses it on drizzly or cold days, often walking for an entire episode of her favourite television show, which can mean up to an hour of movement without even noticing.

"It takes the excuse away," she says. "You can put your favourite show on and walk for the duration."

It may not replace the fresh air of an outdoor stroll, but it keeps the habit alive when the elements are working against you.

## The Takeaway

Whether you walk the dog before sunrise, swap bus rides for brisk strolls, or pace the living room in front of the TV, the message from experienced walkers is consistent: the method matters far less than the habit. Find what works for your lifestyle, build it into your daily routine, and the physical and mental rewards will follow.

Discover simple, practical habits that help real people walk 30 minutes every day — from commute tricks to dog walks and indoor treadmill pads.

How to Walk 30 Minutes a Day: Real Tips That Work

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Simple Habits That Help You Walk 30 Minutes Every Day

## When a Board Game Becomes a Public Health Tool

For decades, Chutes & Ladders has entertained children across America with its simple mechanics and colorful board. Originally adapted from an ancient Indian game designed to impart moral lessons, it has long been a childhood staple. Now, a Nigerian research team has reimagined the concept with a far more urgent purpose — and the stakes couldn't be higher.

In rural communities across Nigeria, elementary school children are sitting down to play a game called **Schisto & Ladders**. It looks familiar enough: roll the dice, move your token, climb ladders, and slide back down. But instead of chutes, players slide down illustrated parasitic worms. And instead of moral lessons, the game delivers life-saving knowledge about schistosomiasis — a serious tropical disease that affects millions of people across sub-Saharan Africa.

## What Is Schistosomiasis?

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection caused by microscopic worm larvae that penetrate human skin upon contact with contaminated freshwater. Even a brief splash can be enough for infection. Locally referred to as *Atosi Aja*, or "Bloody Urine," the disease is named for one of its most visible symptoms.

Beyond blood in the urine, the illness brings fever, rash, and considerable discomfort in its early stages. Left untreated, it can escalate into severe organ damage, neurological complications, infertility, and even bladder cancer. In Nigeria, the disease has been directly linked to elevated rates of bladder cancer among young people — a sobering statistic that underscores the urgency of prevention.

Classified as a **Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD)** due to chronic underfunding, schistosomiasis currently affects more than 200 million people across sub-Saharan Africa. School-age children face the greatest risk, as they frequently play in and around water sources and their immune systems are still developing.

## How the Game Works

Developed in 2014 by a team led by Professor of Parasitology **Uwem Ekpo** of Akwa Ibom State University, Schisto & Ladders follows a straightforward path across a brightly illustrated board. Players roll a dice and advance toward a final square labeled "Schisto-Free Child." Along the way, the squares they land on reflect real-life behavioral choices — with consequences to match.

Land on **"Playing in a River"** and your token slides back down a worm. Land on **"Eat Before Taking Medicine"** and you climb a ladder, moving closer to victory. The game rewards good decisions like taking the antiparasitic drug praziquantel at school and cutting vegetation along riverbanks — a practice that disrupts the habitat of the intermediate snail hosts that carry the parasite.

Other squares reinforce the disease's transmission cycle in memorable ways. **"Fetching Water from a Stream"** connects via a worm to "Swollen Belly," while **"Defecating Near a River"** leads to "Spreading Infection" — illustrating the two critical points at which the parasite's life cycle can be broken: preventing larvae from entering the human body, and stopping human waste from reseeding the water with parasite eggs.

## Field Work in Apojola Village

In July 2025, parasitologist and educator **Dr. Cynthia Umunnakwe** — one of the game's key developers — brought Schisto & Ladders to a schoolhouse in Apojola village in Ogun State. The visit was part of a broader Ministry of Health initiative that combined hands-on education with urine testing and medical treatment for affected children.

The need was immediately apparent. Screening at a local urine testing clinic revealed that **one in three residents** had an active schistosomiasis infection — a staggering rate in a community where daily life revolves around the Oyan River. Locals use the river for washing clothes, fishing, preparing cassava, and bathing. Children wade and splash along its shallow edges, sometimes at the request of their parents to check fish traps.

Dr. Umunnakwe reorganized the classroom furniture into clusters and introduced the game with a warm greeting. She also brought along live freshwater snails — collected from the river by her colleague **Dr. Olubukola Adelakun**, a veterinary public health researcher and post-doctoral scholar at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta. Dr. Adelakun had waded waist-deep into the water the previous day, wearing waterproof waders, to collect and clean snail specimens for identification purposes — helping children recognize the very animals that harbor the parasite in their local waterways.

In a neighboring building, Ministry of Health staff administered free doses of **praziquantel**, an oral medication that both prevents and treats schistosomiasis. Children received snacks alongside their treatment, since taking the drug on a full stomach reduces the likelihood of nausea and stomach discomfort.

## Proven Impact on Knowledge and Behavior

The game's effectiveness is not just anecdotal. Dr. Umunnakwe previously conducted a rigorous six-month study involving **275 students across six schools** in rural Ogun State — schools where praziquantel had previously been refused because of dangerous rumors that it caused fainting and death. Published in the journal *International Health*, the research found that before the trial began, not a single participating child had heard of the drug.

After six months of playing Schisto & Ladders, more than **two-thirds of students** understood what praziquantel was and recognized that it was safe. Remarkably, **65% of children** signed up — with parental consent — to receive treatment. The study used pre- and post-trial surveys, as well as focus group discussions with students, parents, and caregivers to measure the game's reach.

"So we are hoping that by playing this game, schoolchildren will actually translate the knowledge acquired into changing their behaviors," Dr. Umunnakwe explained.

## A Simple Game With a Serious Mission

At the end of one classroom session, a young boy reached the final square and called out triumphantly in Yoruba: *"Hey, wò ó, mo wà lókè!"* — "Hey look, I'm on top!"

In that moment, a child had not only won a game — he had absorbed knowledge that could genuinely protect his health. That is precisely the power of Schisto & Ladders: transforming complex public health information into something children can engage with, remember, and act upon.

In communities where access to clean water, reliable testing, and consistent treatment remains limited, creative educational tools like this board game represent a critical front line in the battle against neglected tropical diseases. As schistosomiasis continues to affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, solutions that meet communities where they are — and speak to children in a language they understand — may prove just as valuable as any medication.

A Nigerian research team turned Chutes & Ladders into a public health tool, teaching children to prevent schistosomiasis through an educational board game.

Schisto & Ladders: The Board Game Fighting Schistosomiasis

Schisto & Ladders: The Board Game Fighting a Deadly Parasitic Disease in Nigeria

## Isle of Man Doctors Vote Overwhelmingly for Strike Action

Physicians on the Isle of Man have delivered a resounding mandate for industrial action following an ongoing dispute over what the British Medical Association (BMA) describes as years of sustained pay erosion.

Out of 168 eligible BMA members, 104 participated in the strike ballot — a strong turnout that yielded a striking 95% vote in favour of taking action. The union argues that, when adjusted for inflation, doctors have endured a real-terms pay reduction of 29% since 2008, a figure it says is simply no longer acceptable.

## Manx Care Remains Hopeful as New Pay Offer Awaits Response

Manx Care, the island's healthcare provider, confirmed it had submitted a revised pay proposal on 18 June and expressed optimism that the offer would be well received. A separate ballot on this improved deal is set to close next week, and as of now, no specific dates for industrial action have been announced.

The timing of the ballot result is notable, coinciding with significant leadership changes at Manx Care. Chief Executive Teresa Cope, who has led the organisation since its establishment in 2021, has tendered her resignation. Shortly after, Wendy Reid, the organisation's chair, also announced she would be stepping down before the end of the summer.

## A History of Negotiation — and Ongoing Frustration

This is not the first time Isle of Man doctors have approached the brink of industrial action. In January 2025, a planned walkout was called off after both parties reached an agreement spanning two financial years from 2023 to 2024. That deal included an 8% pay increase in the first year, followed by a further 6% rise from April 2024, and an additional 2% uplift from February the same year.

However, the BMA maintains that even with those incremental increases factored in, doctors' real-terms earnings remain substantially lower than they were over 15 years ago.

## Doctors Warn of Long-Term Consequences

Dr Prakash Thiagarajan, Chair of the Isle of Man Medical Society, described the ballot outcome as a definitive signal that the status quo must change.

"This is a clear message that the current situation cannot continue," he stated, adding that prolonged pay erosion has left doctors feeling undervalued and deeply concerned about the long-term viability of the medical profession on the island.

BMA Deputy Chair of Council Dr Emma Runswick echoed those sentiments, framing the vote as a principled stand.

"In voting for strike action, doctors are standing up for fair pay, recognition of their expertise, and the long-term sustainability of medical staffing on the island," she said.

## What Happens Next

With the outcome of Manx Care's latest pay offer ballot expected next week, both sides appear to be at a critical juncture. Should the revised proposal fail to satisfy the medical workforce, formal strike dates could be set — marking a potentially historic moment for healthcare on the Isle of Man.

Isle of Man doctors vote 95% in favour of strike action, citing a 29% real-terms pay cut since 2008. Manx Care awaits response to its latest pay offer.

Isle of Man Doctors Vote for Strike Over Pay Erosion

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Isle of Man Doctors Back Strike Action Amid Decades-Long Pay Dispute

## A Legacy Dismantled Overnight

When Samantha Power stepped out of USAID's Washington headquarters for the final time on January 20, 2025, she had no roadmap for what would follow. The agency she had devoted four years to leading under the Biden administration was about to face an unprecedented reckoning.

Within days of the new Trump administration taking office, a sweeping stop-work order froze all U.S. foreign assistance programs — including those actively saving lives in crisis zones around the world. The systematic dismantling of the 64-year-old agency had begun.

"I was as shocked as I was horrified," Power told NPR in a recent interview. "I could not believe that any human would suspend life-saving assistance without considering the human consequences."

USAID was formally shuttered in July 2025. At its peak, the agency had employed approximately 15,000 people across the globe and administered thousands of programs targeting disease, poverty, and instability. Today, only a fraction of its former staff remain — absorbed into the State Department — while the vast majority of its programs have been permanently terminated.

## The Human Cost of Closure

For Power, the months between the initial freeze and the official shutdown were defined by grief and frustration. She describes watching helplessly as thousands of dedicated public servants faced sudden unemployment, financial uncertainty, and an identity crisis rooted in the collapse of their life's work.

"This was a mini cataclysm for 15,000 USAID workers around the world," she said. "Every single one had served our country faithfully — not for the money, but out of purpose and mission. Some couldn't make rent. Some had to pull their kids out of daycare. I just felt massively ineffective."

Power also reached out to Republican members of Congress who had historically championed USAID, hoping to build resistance to the shutdown from within the President's own political coalition. Those efforts, she says, ultimately fell short.

"Initially they worked behind the scenes to try to restart programs," she recalled, "but at a certain point they clearly decided it was in their self-interest to go along."

## Global Ripple Effects That May Never Be Measured

The consequences of USAID's closure extend far beyond Washington. Power points to the end of Power Africa — a program that had delivered improved electricity access to 150 million people — as one example of what the world has quietly lost. She also raises alarm over the withdrawal of funding from anti-corruption organizations, independent media outlets, and election monitoring programs.

"When you shut down civil society organizations around the world, you lose things that won't be measured in the here and now," she warned, "but that will create deeply negative ripple effects across generations."

In particular, the toll on global HIV programs and girls' education initiatives may not be quantifiable for years — precisely the kind of slow-burning crisis that rarely generates headlines but reshapes entire societies.

## Critiquing the New Approach — With Nuance

Trump administration officials have argued that U.S. disaster response is now faster and more efficient without the bureaucratic weight of USAID. Power acknowledges some incremental improvement — pointing to the government's handling of the Venezuela earthquake response as a step forward — but argues that headline-grabbing disasters are not where the deepest damage lies.

"Doing more is better," she concedes, "but the bigger gaps are in areas no longer even being measured — HIV metrics, girls' education, community health infrastructure."

On the question of aid dependency, Power offers a nuanced take. She actually embraces the Trump administration's shift toward government-to-government assistance, noting that she had championed a similar strategy during her tenure. Her concern, however, is with execution.

"That shift, I welcome it — but it requires proper oversight," she said. "Laying off all the USAID staff who performed that oversight is not the solution."

## Is There a Path Back?

Despite the enormity of what has been lost, Power is not without hope. She points to a striking development: the Republican-controlled House and Senate recently sent a $50 billion foreign assistance bill to President Trump's desk for his signature — a sign that bipartisan support for this kind of work has not entirely disappeared.

"The supporters of this work are still out there," she insists. "But rebuilding will require very delicate negotiations — not only about how to restore what was lost, but how to do so in a way that allows majorities in both parties to rally around the cause while saving face. Because clearly, a terrible mistake was made."

Whether USAID returns in name or morphs into something new, Power believes the mission it represented — Americans helping people around the world — remains both morally essential and strategically irreplaceable.

"Walking away from USAID is not just cruel," she said. "It's incredibly dumb. It's like having the world's most trusted brand name and deciding to throw it away."

Former USAID head Samantha Power reflects on the agency's 2025 closure, its global impact, and whether the beloved institution can ever be rebuilt.

Samantha Power on USAID Shutdown and Hope for Its Return

Samantha Power Mourns the Fall of USAID — But Refuses to Give Up Hope

## Britain's Largest Doctors' Union Eyes Massive Job Cuts Amid Financial Crisis

The British Medical Association (BMA), the United Kingdom's leading doctors' union, is reportedly planning to eliminate up to one-third of its entire workforce as it scrambles to address a mounting financial crisis. The move has sent shockwaves through the organisation, igniting anger and accusations of hypocrisy from staff members who feel blindsided by the decision.

### 200 Jobs at Risk in Major Restructuring Drive

Approximately 200 of the BMA's 600 England-based employees have been placed at risk of redundancy as part of a sweeping restructuring effort aimed at plugging a persistent financial deficit. The announcement comes just days after resident doctors narrowly voted to accept a government-brokered pay agreement that will see the highest-earning junior doctors receive a base salary of £77,348 — a deal that followed 15 gruelling rounds of strike action that cost the NHS billions of pounds and severely disrupted patient care across the country.

The irony of the situation has not been lost on BMA employees. One staff member remarked: "BMA leaders seem to think it's one rule for them and another for everyone else. If a hospital treated its workers this way, we would come down on them like a ton of bricks."

## A Union Haemorrhaging Money Despite Record Membership

Despite reaching a record membership of 200,000 — fuelled largely by its high-profile campaigns and strike action in recent years — the BMA has been losing millions of pounds annually. The organisation's financial position has become so precarious that it has required a staggering £86.8 million in subsidies from the British Medical Journal (which it owns) since 2008, averaging roughly £5.1 million per year just to remain solvent.

Although previous cost-cutting measures succeeded in reducing the deficit by £4 million, rising inflation has pushed it back up to approximately £5 million. The BMA says it must now reduce fixed operating costs while maintaining investment in membership levels.

### Staff Furious Over Treatment and Lack of Transparency

The vast majority of BMA staff are members of the GMB trade union, which has accused the BMA of violating its own HR protocols during the redundancy process and attempting to silence employees from speaking out. Notably, the BMA's own membership has not been officially informed about the scale of the restructuring or its potential human impact.

One internal source painted a bleak picture: "BMA staff are very scared. Everyone thinks they're going to lose their job. People are absolutely miserable. This is the worst reorganisation we've ever seen."

The discontent among staff has reached boiling point. GMB members at the BMA passed a vote of no confidence in chief executive Rachel Podolak — who is leading the restructuring — with a staggering 91% voting against her on a 72% turnout.

## Restructuring Raises Concerns About Core Union Functions

The reorganisation is reportedly designed to refocus the BMA on its trade union role — advocating on pay and workplace issues — while scaling back its function as a professional medical association. This shift has alarmed many within the organisation.

### Critical Roles Being Eliminated

Among the most contentious elements of the restructuring plan:

- **Up to 20 of 45 staff** supporting the BMA's board of science and board of ethics face redundancy
- **Industrial relations officer (IRO) posts** will be cut from 23.5 to just 14 — personnel who play a vital role in helping hospital doctors negotiate disputes with NHS management
- **Three of the BMA's seven regional heads** are also set to be eliminated

Senior BMA figures have described the axing of IRO posts as "madness," arguing it directly contradicts the union's own strategic priorities for 2025–2030, which include "organising to win" and "campaigning to influence."

Chairs of 110 local negotiating committees — local BMA branches representing hospital doctors — have written a strongly worded letter to Podolak and Deputy Chair of Council Dr Emma Runswick, condemning the planned cuts to IRO and regional head posts. The BMA's consultants committee also passed a motion criticising the move, though the BMA hierarchy blocked it from being debated at last week's annual conference.

## BMA Downplays Scale of Redundancies

In a statement to media, the BMA claimed that as few as 20 staff members would ultimately lose their jobs — a figure dramatically lower than the 200 discussed in negotiations with GMB representatives. The union said it expects most departures to be voluntary.

"Any process which involves people leaving the BMA will always be difficult," a BMA spokesperson said. "We have been engaging extensively with the GMB as our trade union partner since last year and through a comprehensive process involving all affected staff. Final decisions have not yet been made."

### GMB Vows to Protect Workers

Gavin Davies, a senior GMB organiser, acknowledged the difficult situation facing BMA employees. "Workers are understandably worried, and we will work hard to avoid compulsory redundancies and the financial hardship they inevitably bring," he said, adding that negotiations were ongoing and he remained hopeful a solution could be found.

The unfolding crisis places the BMA in an uncomfortable spotlight — a union that fought aggressively for better pay and conditions for doctors now facing accusations of treating its own staff with the very disregard it has long campaigned against.

The British Medical Association plans to axe up to a third of its workforce amid a financial crisis, sparking staff fury and accusations of hypocrisy.

BMA Plans to Cut 200 Jobs Amid Growing Financial Crisis

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BMA Faces Financial Meltdown as Doctors' Union Plans to Cut Up to 200 Jobs

## NHS Moves to Overhaul Patient Communication With Three-Week Appointment Notice

Patients waiting for hospital treatment across England are set to receive significantly better communication from the NHS, with new standards requiring hospitals to notify individuals at least three weeks before any scheduled operation, diagnostic test, or consultant appointment.

The initiative, announced by NHS England chief executive Jim Mackey, draws direct inspiration from the customer service practices of major online retailers such as Amazon and John Lewis — companies renowned for keeping customers informed every step of the way.

## Ending the 'Farce' of Late and Missed Appointment Letters

The overhaul comes in response to mounting frustration over the NHS's historically poor record of patient communication. Research conducted by the King's Fund revealed that nearly one in four patients were receiving appointment notifications only after the scheduled time had already passed — a situation Mackey described as "clearly unacceptable."

Further findings from the same health think tank highlighted widespread dissatisfaction, with many patients reporting they felt completely "left in the dark" after being added to an NHS waiting list, often unsure whether their GP referral had even been acknowledged.

"Almost everyone has a story in their family about how navigating the NHS has been like walking through treacle," Mackey said. "If we want to keep improving patients' experiences and satisfaction, we have to fix the basics — and that starts with how we treat people even before they arrive for treatment."

## Eight New Patient Experience Standards Introduced

As part of the plan, NHS England has established eight new patient experience standards aimed at delivering what Mackey calls "five-star customer service" across all 205 NHS trusts in England.

Key changes include:

- **Waiting list confirmation** — Patients will be notified via the NHS app when a hospital specialist accepts their GP referral, giving them peace of mind that they are officially on the waiting list.
- **Three-week advance notice** — Everyone awaiting treatment will receive at least 21 days' notice before their appointment.
- **Flexible communication options** — Those who prefer traditional methods will continue to receive updates by letter or text message.

With approximately 6 million people in England currently waiting for around 7 million tests, procedures, and appointments, the scale of the improvement could be substantial. More than 40 million people have already downloaded the NHS app, making it a practical platform for delivering these updates.

## Patient Advocates Welcome the Changes

William Pett, interim director of policy and external affairs at Healthwatch England, praised the announcement as a meaningful step forward.

"For too long, patients have told us about referral letters going missing, delayed appointment letters, or feeling forgotten for months on end," Pett said. "These standards are by no means revolutionary — they are simple, clear expectations that should represent the bare minimum the public can expect from our services."

He added that the move sends a clear signal from NHS leadership that quality customer service is just as important to patients as reducing waiting times.

## A Broader Push to Rebuild Public Trust in the NHS

The communication reforms are part of a wider NHS strategy to modernise services and rebuild public confidence. Patient satisfaction with the NHS rose from 21% to 26% last year — its first increase in seven years — and Mackey is hopeful that treating patients more like valued customers will help sustain that upward trend.

Hospitals have been instructed to adopt the new standards as quickly as possible, signalling that this is not a distant policy aspiration but an immediate operational priority.

NHS England introduces new patient experience standards requiring three weeks' notice before hospital appointments, inspired by Amazon and John Lewis service mo

NHS Plans Three Weeks' Notice for Hospital Appointments

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NHS to Give Patients Three Weeks' Notice Before Hospital Appointments

## Germany's Sick Leave Overhaul Ignites National Debate

A heated controversy has erupted across Germany after the country's coalition government unveiled a significant shake-up to sick leave regulations. Under the proposed changes, employees would be required to present a doctor's certificate to their employer from the very first day they are too unwell to work — a sharp departure from existing rules that only mandate such documentation after three consecutive days of absence.

### What's Changing and Why

Currently, German workers are only obligated to produce a medical certificate if their illness keeps them away from work for more than three days. The new policy would move that requirement to day one, and it would also eliminate the option — introduced as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic — of obtaining a sick note over the phone. Workers would now be required to visit a doctor's surgery in person.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking on German broadcaster ARD, framed the decision as a necessary step toward restoring economic competitiveness. "The number of sick days in Germany is too high," he stated plainly, adding that the country was reverting to the arrangements that existed before the coronavirus pandemic reshaped workplace norms.

"This is a tough decision," Merz acknowledged, "but we can no longer afford this competitive disadvantage caused by long periods of absence from work."

The reforms were jointly agreed upon by Merz's conservative Christian Democratic Party (CDU) and its coalition partner, the Social Democrats (SPD), as part of a broader package of tax, labour, and pension reforms intended to reinvigorate Germany's sluggish economy.

### Medical Community Pushes Back Hard

The response from Germany's medical establishment has been swift and scathing. The KBV — a national body representing statutory health insurance physicians — declared that forcing large numbers of sick people to physically attend a doctor's surgery just to complete paperwork "bordered on madness."

"Anyone who is coughing or dealing with a gastrointestinal infection belongs in bed — not in an overcrowded surgery," the organisation said in an official statement.

The Association of General Practitioners echoed these concerns, cautioning that illnesses requiring only a day or two of rest would now flood already strained waiting rooms with contagious patients — potentially worsening public health outcomes rather than improving workforce productivity.

### Coalition Partners Express Doubts

Even within the ruling coalition, the proposal has not been universally embraced. SPD leader and Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil sought to temper tensions, telling RTL television that he was actively pursuing "workable solutions" and that sensible arrangements needed to be established for what had been put forward.

Labour Minister Bärbel Bas, also a member of the SPD, went further, distancing herself from the proposal entirely. "That wasn't my proposal," she told RTL, adding that her department would examine whether the first-day certificate requirement would have any meaningful impact — or whether it would simply create unnecessary hardship for workers.

### CDU Defends the Policy

Despite the criticism, CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn stood firmly behind the changes. He pointed out that Germany records one of the highest rates of employee sick leave across the European Union, averaging around 18 sick days per employee each year.

"Those who are genuinely ill should, of course, be able to stay at home," Spahn clarified, suggesting the measure is aimed at curbing what Chancellor Merz previously described as "exorbitant" levels of absence rather than penalising legitimately unwell workers.

### A Balancing Act Between Economy and Public Health

The debate cuts to the heart of a broader tension in German society — how to revive a faltering economy without placing undue burden on workers or overwhelming an already stretched healthcare system. As the government pushes forward with sweeping structural reforms, the sick note controversy serves as a flashpoint for deeper disagreements about labour rights, public health policy, and economic responsibility.

With coalition partners divided and the medical community firmly opposed, the government faces mounting pressure to revisit or refine its approach before the changes take effect.

Germany's plan to require a doctor's note on the first day of illness has angered medical groups and divided the ruling coalition. Here's what's changing.

Germany's First-Day Sick Note Rule Sparks Backlash

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Germany's New Sick Note Rule Sparks Fierce Backlash from Medical Community

## Critical School Civil Rights Data Sits Unpublished Under Trump Administration

For over five decades, the U.S. Education Department has served as a watchdog for America's students — systematically documenting which children face bullying, who experiences harassment, and which students have access to basic educational tools like the internet. This effort, known as the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), exists specifically to hold public schools accountable for how they treat every student in their care.

But the most recent dataset — covering the 2023-24 academic school year — was supposed to be released publicly last December. It never was. The Education Department has not responded to repeated media inquiries asking why.

## What Is the Civil Rights Data Collection?

The CRDC is a federally mandated data-gathering initiative that captures a sweeping picture of student experiences across every public school in the United States. It tracks everything from disciplinary actions and special education access to harassment incidents and digital equity. Lawmakers, researchers, and advocacy organizations rely on this data to craft legislation and push for reforms that protect the nation's most vulnerable students.

Senators and representatives have previously used CRDC findings to develop meaningful policy. For instance, Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas drew directly from CRDC data to draft legislation aimed at expanding access to Advanced Placement courses for minority and disabled students who had been disproportionately excluded. A spokesperson for Booker's office confirmed the bill would be reintroduced shortly.

## Why the Delay Has Advocates Alarmed

While bureaucratic slowdowns are not uncommon in federal agencies, the current delay is unfolding against a politically charged backdrop — and that context has education equity advocates deeply concerned.

The Trump administration has announced plans to relocate the Office for Civil Rights, the division that oversees the CRDC, from the Education Department to the Department of Justice. This proposed transfer follows a series of policy decisions that have reshaped how student civil rights protections are enforced: the administration has aggressively targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in schools and has made investigating schools that permit transgender athletes to compete in women's sports a stated enforcement priority.

"This administration has repeatedly applied civil rights law in ways that ignore or dismiss the very real inequities that persist in our education system," said Denise Forte, president and CEO of EdTrust, an organization focused on closing education gaps. She added that the data delay "raises serious concerns, particularly as this administration seeks to downplay the impacts of racism and economic inequality in public education."

## Inside the CRDC Team: What Former Staff Are Saying

A former Education Department employee who worked directly on the CRDC told NPR — on the condition of anonymity due to concerns about professional retaliation — that the team responsible for the data collection remains in place. However, its future is far from certain.

The former staffer suggested that part of the delay may stem from the 2025 government shutdown, which disrupted operations at the Education Department for more than six weeks and stalled progress on the CRDC. The department has also undergone dramatic staffing reductions since the Trump administration assumed office, losing roughly half its workforce.

The former employee described the CRDC team as deeply mission-driven professionals committed to ensuring equal access and opportunity for marginalized students. "We can't make the right decisions for students if we don't have insight into their current realities," they said.

## Disability Rights and the Erosion of Accountability Tools

Lindsay Kubatzky, director of policy and advocacy at the National Center for Learning Disabilities, echoed those concerns — particularly regarding students with disabilities. He pointed to the Trump administration's proposal to eliminate a federal requirement that states track disability identification rates by race and ethnicity. Historically, Black and Latino students have been disproportionately and incorrectly identified as needing special education services.

"This administration unfortunately has proposed a lot of policies that would make it less transparent on how students with disabilities in particular are being served in public schools," Kubatzky said. While that specific disability tracking requirement is separate from the CRDC, he sees it as part of a broader pattern of dismantling civil rights accountability systems.

The CRDC, he emphasized, gives advocates a critical lever to identify where schools are falling short and to push for more inclusive policies.

## A Key Question Left Unanswered: Digital Equity in the Age of AI

Among the questions the delayed dataset was expected to address is one of growing urgency: which students have reliable access to the internet and digital devices as artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly central part of modern education.

"Are our schools ready to usher in this wave of AI? Will all students have equal access to devices and internet capabilities?" asked the former CRDC staffer. "How do we know if the CRDC doesn't come out?"

As the gap between the data's expected release and its actual publication continues to widen, advocates are left wondering whether the delay reflects administrative dysfunction — or a deliberate retreat from the transparency that has long defined federal education accountability.

The Education Department's Civil Rights Data Collection is six months overdue. Advocates fear the Trump administration is undermining student equity accountabil

Civil Rights School Data Six Months Late Under Trump

Civil Rights School Data Is Six Months Overdue — And Advocates Want Answers

## Beat the Heat: Essential Safety Tips for Staying Healthy Outdoors This Summer

With extreme heat warnings blanketing large portions of the Midwest and Eastern United States, health experts are urging residents to take the dangers of high temperatures seriously. Heat-related illness claims hundreds of American lives each year, and conditions like heatstroke can trigger multiple organ failure, kidney damage, or even a heart attack. Before you step outside, here's what you need to know.

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## Understand Your Personal Heat Risk

There's no single temperature that automatically puts everyone in danger. Your risk level depends on a combination of personal factors, including how well your body has adapted to the heat, how long you'll be exposed, and your overall health status.

Humidity plays a critical role that many people overlook. Sweating — your body's primary cooling mechanism — works far more efficiently in dry conditions than in humid ones. Add in a lack of wind, and your risk climbs even higher.

"If it's a very humid day and there's no wind speed, then you are more at risk, even if the air temperature is lower," explained Ashley Ward, director of Duke University's Heat Policy Innovation Hub.

While heat advisories and warnings from the National Weather Service are useful reference points, they aren't foolproof. Nick Staub, incident commander for extreme heat response in Maricopa County, Arizona, has noted that a significant number of heat-related deaths occur on days that don't carry an official extreme heat warning. One important reason: heat index values are calibrated for shaded, low-wind environments. In direct sunlight, the temperature can feel up to 15 degrees hotter than the official figure suggests.

For a more comprehensive picture, use the National Weather Service's **HeatRisk tool**, which factors in how far above seasonal norms the current temperature sits, heat duration, and upcoming humidity forecasts.

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## Who Is Most Vulnerable to Heat-Related Illness?

Certain groups face a significantly elevated risk and should exercise extra caution:

- **Infants and young children** — Their smaller bodies heat up quickly, and they may not be able to communicate distress clearly. Watch carefully for behavioral changes.
- **Adults over 60** — Aging reduces the body's capacity to sweat and regulate temperature effectively.
- **Pregnant women** — The body's cooling efficiency can be compromised during pregnancy, and excessive heat raises the risk of pregnancy-related complications.
- **People with chronic health conditions** — Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other conditions can impair heat tolerance.
- **Outdoor workers and athletes** — Strenuous physical activity in the heat dramatically increases exposure risk.
- **Those without air conditioning** — Lack of access to cooling is one of the leading contributors to heat-related fatalities.
- **People new to hot climates** — Those who haven't yet acclimatized are especially susceptible.

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## How Certain Medications Increase Heat Sensitivity

If you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, it's worth understanding how they might affect your body's response to heat.

**Diuretics**, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, work by flushing fluid from the body — a process that becomes especially dangerous when combined with heat-induced sweating, creating a perfect storm for dehydration.

**Anticholinergic drugs** (including common antihistamines like Benadryl) and **stimulants** used to treat ADHD can impair your body's ability to cool itself. **ACE inhibitors** can dull the sensation of thirst, making it harder to recognize when you need to hydrate. **Beta blockers** reduce sweating, limiting your body's natural cooling process.

As Dr. David Eisenman of UCLA put it: "When you're taking these medications and you're exposed to heat, it's like asking a car to drive up a mountain in the summer with the air conditioner broken."

**Psychiatric medications** also pose a risk. Antipsychotics and some antidepressants reduce perspiration, while sedatives like benzodiazepines can dull your awareness of how hot you actually are.

Importantly, you should **never stop taking prescribed medications** without consulting your doctor. Instead, speak with your healthcare provider about whether your medications increase your heat sensitivity, and develop a plan to stay cool. The CDC also maintains a resource listing medications that contribute to heat vulnerability.

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## Recognizing the Warning Signs

### Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms include:
- Extreme fatigue and thirst
- Nausea and headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Muscle cramps
- Rapid or labored breathing

### Heatstroke — A Medical Emergency
Heatstroke includes all of the above, plus:
- Confusion or disorientation
- Slurred speech or seizures
- Vomiting
- A strong, rapid heartbeat
- Loss of consciousness
- Body temperature exceeding 103°F

If someone around you shows signs of heatstroke — especially neurological symptoms like confusion — **call emergency services immediately**.

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## What to Do If Someone Is Overheating

Act quickly. The first priority is to stop all physical activity and move the affected person out of direct sunlight. Then take immediate steps to lower their body temperature:

- Move them into air-conditioned space if at all possible
- If AC isn't available, find shade and use a fan
- Mist them with a spray bottle or pour cool water over their head
- Focus cooling efforts on the head, face, armpits, and groin — the body's most heat-sensitive zones

For suspected heatstroke, do not delay — get the person to an emergency room as soon as possible.

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## Practical Tips for Staying Cool Outside

- **Time your outdoor activities wisely** — Early morning and evening hours are significantly cooler than midday. Avoid being outside between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. if possible.
- **Stay in the shade** — Especially during any physical activity.
- **Hydrate consistently** — Don't wait until you're thirsty. Drink water regularly throughout the day.
- **Wear light, breathable clothing** — Loose-fitting, light-colored garments help your skin stay ventilated.
- **Carry your own shade** — A wide-brimmed hat or UV-protective umbrella can make a meaningful difference.

Heat is one of the deadliest weather-related threats in the United States, yet it remains one of the most preventable. A little preparation and awareness can go a long way toward keeping you and your loved ones safe all summer long.

Extreme heat kills hundreds every year. Learn expert tips on heat risk, warning signs, medication risks, and how to stay safe outdoors this summer.