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In the News
Douglas County health preps for LHD for extreme heat
On a cool summer day, multiple agencies across Omaha came together to plan for an extreme heat event. "Extreme heat likely kills more people in the United States than any other weather-related disaster," Jesse Bell, professor of water, climate and health at UNMC, said.
July 17, 2025
Health officials explain link between high nitrates and cancer in groundwater
Could your water put you at risk for cancer? Dr. Jesse Bell from the University of Nebraska Medical Center emphasizes the connection between high nitrate concentrations in drinking water and a host of health problems.
March 3, 2025
UNMC chosen by CDC for a national role
Omaha’s University of Nebraska Medical Center is receiving national attention. In a release sent Wednesday, UNMC said that they have been named by the CDC as one of ten “Regional Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response” across the U.S. For the next five years, they will not only manage the center for Nebraska, but also for Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.
October 30, 2024
UNMC Study reveals major heat disparity in parts of Omaha
When someone checks the weather for Omaha, it may not be the real temperature they’re experiencing. They may be in what researchers call an “urban heat island” or a pocket of the city that’s hotter than others in part because of pavement and lack of shade from trees.
August 27, 2024
Improving Heat Alerts in Nebraska
Record heat is sweltering across the country. After recent storms tore down tree canopies in places like Blair and Elkhorn, environmental exposure experts say they have been working to improve public health alerts in Nebraska.
June 20, 2024
NASA releases new high quality real time, air quality data
NASA has made new data available that can provide air pollution observations at unprecedented resolutions – down to the scale of individual neighborhoods. The near real-time data comes from the agency’s TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution) instrument, which launched last year to improve life on Earth by revolutionizing the way scientists observe air quality from space.
May 30, 2024
Tornado RNA Survey in Washington County
Three Rivers Public Health, UNMC and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services hope the surveys provided a clear picture of the April 26 tornado outbreak.
May 17, 2024
Drought response guide for Health Professionals
From worsening water quality to respiratory and mental health impacts, drought can have profound and widespread impacts on the health of communities across the nation. To better prepare health professionals for responding to the health effects of drought, a research team from the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health recently released a new guide, Drought and Health: A Messaging Framework for Public Health Professionals and Healthcare Providers.
April 24, 2024
Impacts of Climate Change in the US
In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes discusses key findings of the report with three of its co-authors. DWFI Faculty Fellows Andrea Basche and Tonya Haigh co-authored the Northern Great Plains chapter, which includes Nebraska.
March 25, 2024
Severe Drought Increases Mortality Risk in the Northern Rockies and Plains
The study found that mortality associated with severe drought increased overall in this region, and several factors—including age groups, gender, and residing in an urban area—influenced the impact of drought on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
March 6, 2024
Environmental Group continues fight against contaminants nitrates in Nebraska water
The Nebraska Examiner explores concerns surrounding nitrates and other contaminants in Nebraska’s water and the potential impacts on public health. The story highlights insights from Jesse Bell, PhD, on nitrate exposure and associated health risks, as well as the importance of continued attention to water quality across the state.
September 16, 2023
Study Finds Regional and Demographic Increases of Respiratory Mortality During Drought
As with many other climate-related disasters, drought can lead to negative health outcomes. The significant impacts that drought can have on respiratory illness, such as bronchitis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma, are of particular concern.
August 23, 2023
A Hotter and Drier Future Could Change How We Eat, Breathe and Where We Get Our Water
A hotter, drier future could reshape how Nebraska grows food, manages water and protects public health. This Nebraska Public Media story explores the impacts of drought and climate change across the region, including insights from Jesse Bell, PhD.
September 11, 2022
