This is Part 4 of an 8 part online course. Start here to learn more about and why this course was created and how it is structured.
Moving to Phoenix Online Course
The sun shines a lot, so it must be a healthy place to live, right? Well, maybe yes. I like to think that because we can spend more time outdoors doing healthy things, that we are healthier. I haven't seen any research that proves that, though! I am, however, contacted fairly often by people who have specific health concerns about living in the metro Phoenix area, so let's get those right out into the open.Trivia to Impress Your Friends- 80% of our lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18.
- Valley Fever is not contagious.
- Of people who contract Valley Fever, about 1 in 200 will develop a serious case.And One More Thing
- There is no documented connection between air pollution and baldness.
The Air Out There
Brown Cloud
The metro Phoenix area sits in a valley, and at times during the year a brown cloud of pollution hangs over the valley. Some liken it to the smog in Los Angeles. Air pollution is a serious issue here that the state is trying to address as population levels continue to climb. It's getting better, but everyone here has at least one car.Ozone Alerts
When the air gets bad enough, the County will issue an ozone alert to warn residents that folks with respiratory problems, elderly people and small children should stay inside if possible. It isn't a state of emergency or anything. It is an alert.
Desert Maladies
Skin Cancer
Yes, we have a high incidence of skin cancer here. But there are certainly ways in which prudent people can minimize the risk of be afflicted with the disease.Valley Fever
Many people have it and don't even know it. Some people, however, are seriously affected. Pets can get it, too--I know because my dog had Valley Fever! (He's better now, thanks.) One of the more dangerous aspects of Valley Fever is that while it is well known to doctors here, it isn't that obvious to doctors in other regions of the country or outside the country. Since people passing through while on vacation can get Valley Fever, that's a concern.Asthma
Are there so many people with asthma here because they move here for relief, or do more people get asthma here? It's hard to tell which is the cause and which is the effect. Just don't assume that with asthma it will be easier on you here because of the climate. That may have been true 30 years ago, but it might not be the case now.
Relocation to Phoenix Free Online Course
Introduction
Part 1: How Hot Is It?
Part 2: Where Are the Jobs?
Part 3: Those Dreaded Taxes
Part 4: Health Issues
Part 5: Where Should I Live?
Part 6: House and Apartment Hunting
Part 7: Find a School
Part 8: EEEEWWW! What's That?
