Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a health issue. Recent reporting highlights how shifting weather patterns, from heat waves to hurricanes, can intensify chronic pain for millions of Americans. Dr. Corey B. Simon, DPT, PhD, associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University and a leading researcher on pain mechanisms, provides expert context on why these changes matter for patient care. His work examines how environmental stressors, including temperature and barometric pressure fluctuations, interact with pain sensitivity and physical function.
“Climate variability can amplify pain experiences, especially for those with musculoskeletal conditions,” says Simon. “Understanding these connections helps us prepare for a future where environmental factors increasingly shape health outcomes.”
The Real Pain of Climate Change Is Easy to Feel, but Increasingly Difficult to Study – Chad Small, Inside Climate News. Read more.