Summer Public Health Alert
Summer in Chicago is what makes
the rest of the year worth it!
Chicagoans may know how to take advantage of the warm weather – neighborhood festivals, outdoor seating at restaurants, baseball games, and more – but we need to make sure to keep safe from the sun and heat of summer.
While the warm weather is here, make sure to keep in mind some of the summer health issues below.
Enjoy a healthy summer!
Sun Safety
Make sure to protect yourself from overexposure to the sun when outside! Wear sunscreen, avoid being outdoors when the sun is at its strongest at mid-day, and take other precautions to avoid serious burns.
The links below provide more information about keeping safe in the sun:
- Play It Safe in the Sun: A Guide for Parents (CDC)
- Hot Weather Information (Illinois Department of Public Health)
- Moving Outdoors (CDC)
- Sunburn: Take Care of Your Skin (HIL)
- Sun Safety 101 (The Weather Channel)
Skin Cancer Prevention
Protecting against overexposure to the sun will also help reduce the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Every time you get sun burned you increase the likelihood of developing it!
Use the links below for more information:
- Skin Cancer (CDC)
- Skin Cancer (HIL)
- Check and Protect Your Skin (Cancer.org)
Heat-Related Illnesses
The heat of summer can hit Chicago unexpectedly over the summer to create health problems for people of all ages. But it is a special concern for the elderly and those who are already ill.
When it becomes extremely hot outside, make sure to check up on your family, friends, and neighbors – especially those who do not have air conditioning.
- General Information on the Effects of High Heat (IDPH)
- Heat-related Health Concerns for the Elderly (Nat’l Institute on Aging)
- Symptoms and Treatment Suggestions for Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke (IDPH)
Mosquito Bites and Bee Stings
Mosquitos and bees are most active in the warm weather, so be sure to take steps to reduce your change of getting stung.
Bees will generally not harm you unless provoked, but you should make sure to know how to reduce your chance of getting stung and to treat someone if they do get stung.
Mosquitos can carry diseases such as West Nile Virus, so it's important to take steps to reduce your change of being stung - such as using bug repellant and staying inside during peak mosquito hours of dusk to dawn.
- Bee Stings (HIL)
- Insect Bites (HIL)
- Insect Stings (HIL)
- West Nile Virus - Questions and Answers (CDC)
- West Nile Virus - Overview (Illinois Department of Public Health)
- West Nile Virus - Public Information (IDPH)
Get Out and Exercise!
Chicagoans love the summer for the many opportunities to jog, walk, roller blade, golf, or throw a ball around. The sunshine and movement may do your body good, but take certain precautions when being outdoors:
- Avoid the sun when it is at its highest point of the day, usually around mid-day
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – always make sure you drink enough water!
Getting moving and enjoying physical activities outdoors is a great way to help you later in life. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to help prevent most major diseases by:
- Strengthening your heart, muscles, lungs, and bones
- Helping you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight
- Reducing stress
- Giving you a whole range of other health benefits
Use some of the resources and links below to help you find out more.
- Exercise and Fitness Topics (Health Information Library)
- Children and Exercise (Health Information Library)
- Walking: A Step in the Right Direction (Weight Control Information Network)
- Energize Your Life – Physical Activity for Everyone (CDC)
- Exercise/Physical Fitness Links (NIH)
- Physical Activity in Your Daily Life (American Heart Association)
- Exercise/Physical Fitness (MedLine Plus)
- Chicago Park District - The Chicago Park District manages over 200 facilities and thousands of events throughout the city.



