David Della-Giustina is a Yale emergency medicine specialist who draws on long experience in harsh environments. He is a retired US Army colonel with more than 29 years of service and endured extreme temperatures during combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He described the practical training he received in the military to manage heat, cold and casualties.
At Yale School of Medicine he is a professor of emergency medicine, vice chair for education of emergency medicine and program director of the Wilderness Medicine Fellowship. These roles combine clinical work, teaching and training for medical teams.
Scientists and health officials note that extreme temperatures are becoming more common, especially in summer, and are expected to become even more frequent and intense in the coming decades because of climate change. The Q&A explains common heat illnesses, when to seek medical help, and how to reduce risk. It first appeared on Futurity.
Difficult words
- specialist — A doctor with expert training in one medical area
- endure — To suffer something difficult or painfulendured
- casualty — People hurt or killed in war or accidentscasualties
- fellowship — A training position for doctors after medical school
- program director — The person who leads and manages a program
- climate change — Long-term change in global weather patterns
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever experienced extreme heat or cold? What happened and how did you stay safe?
- How can medical teams and training help communities during periods of extreme heat?
- What actions can people take to reduce the risk of heat illness in everyday life?
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