Conditions can impact your health
A Brampton-based family doctor warns that extreme heat and poor air quality in the Golden Horseshoe region pose significant health risks to vulnerable populations. The report advises residents to stay indoors, hydrate, and seek cooling centers to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Why it matters
Climate-related health advisories are increasingly critical for public safety as extreme weather events become more frequent in urban areas.
Poor air quality and extreme heat, both of which were present in the Golden Horseshoe on Wednesday, can have significant health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations like the unhoused, says a family doctor from Brampton, Ont.
Today, CTV News Toronto spoke with Dr. Ashley Sebastian about the challenges these conditions can pose.
“It’s a bit of a challenge with the air quality and the heat. It poses a serious challenge for some of our patients. Most of our vulnerable population, those who are unhoused, the elderly, the children can see some adverse effects, including exacerbations in asthma, for example,” she said.
“So, we need to pay very close attention to this and if you do need help, seek help at your local emergency department, if you can, or visit your family doctor.”
Sebastian said she’s seen a lot more patients coming in with breathing difficulties on Wednesday.
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