Sleeping poorly? Climate change may be to blame

How to talk to kids about tragedy [View this email online]( [NPR Health]( May 29, 2022 by [Carmel Wroth]( This week, we look at early results of [efforts to decode long COVID]( and expert advice for [discussing school shootings]( with children. Plus with summer heating up, we have the latest research on the [effects of hotter nights]( on sleep. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Why are some who catch COVID-19 in it for the long haul?]( John Minchillo/AP For the unlucky folks stuck with lingering symptoms like headaches and sleeplessness after a bout of COVID, answers - and cures - can't come soon enough. The first results of a small federal study on long COVID patients, published Tuesday, [sheds a few points of light on the condition.]( For example, researchers found no evidence of the virus “hiding out” or lingering in the body. And certain groups, like anxiety sufferers, were more likely to end up with long COVID. Why some have continuing symptoms still is unclear. Plus: How big [is the current COVID surge]( really? --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- [Why aren’t you getting enough sleep? It could be the climate]( Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images Back in 1948, when air conditioners were a luxury item, Cole Porter penned the cheeky tune [“Too Darn Hot,”]( bemoaning the effect of sultry summer weather on one’s desire to get frisky. But with global temperatures rising 0.32°F annually since 1981, people around the world are having a harder time just getting a good night’s sleep, according to a Danish study. Skin and core body temperatures become more sensitive to the surrounding temps when we’re asleep, and older people, women, and people already living in warmer climates feel the effects of warming on sleep more, according to the report. Bonus: Sleep-deprived? Try these [strategies for catching up on lost sleep]( [Talking to kids about school shootings is not easy. So we asked the experts]( for advice [pic kids]( Allison Dinner/AFP via Getty Images It's such a tough conversation. But parents "need to be patient, and sometimes especially young kids need to have these conversations over and over," says Melissa Brymer, director of terrorism and disaster programs at the UCLA-Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. You can start by asking kids what they’re feeling, and what their concerns are. Also, it helps to keep daily routines in place, if possible. Read more about [how to help kids process tragic events.]( Plus: What can [research tell us]( about how to prevent mass shootings? Before you go CDC - Watch out for recalled peanut butter, [and not just in the jar.]( - A baby formula controversy in Kenya is [all about marketing, and stigma.]( - [We were warned]( about monkeypox back in the ‘80s. - In Harlem, [a walking tribute]( to black gay artists who died of AIDS. We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of [NPR's health journalism]( on Shots and follow us on Twitter at [@NPRHealth](. All best, Carmel Wroth and NPR's health editors --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [shots@npr.org](mailto:shots@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Health emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]