Much of the United States is experiencing prolonged and extreme cold weather, with recent winter storms, dangerous windchills and record low temperatures affecting millions of people. As winter stretches on, many people still have to commute to work while figuring out how to keep active and safely let children play outside.
Cold weather brings real health risks and raises practical questions about everyday life, and they are not all solved by wearing a coat, hat and gloves. How does extreme cold affect the body? What precautions matter most when going outside? How can families balance safety with staying active, especially for kids? And what should people know about protecting themselves during extended cold spells?
To help answer these questions, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at the George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner and is the mother of two young children she’s trying to keep warm as cold weather hits Maryland.
CNN: Why does extreme cold pose health risks, and who needs to be especially careful?
Dr. Leana Wen: Extreme cold stresses the body in multiple ways.
Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pre
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