Urban Health Hazard - City Living Risk, Wellness

Skip navigation!

Begin Slideshow

Your annual physical is on the calendar, your FitBit is synced, and you're such a dedicated yogi that your cute Bikram teacher even remembered your birthday. And, you're living in the big city, which means you haven't had to worry about getting Lyme Disease or poison oak all summer! But, even for sheltered urbanites, sneaky health risks abound. The best way to boost your immunity (aside from downing that extra kale smoothie) is by paying attention. Here are seven often-forgotten health hazards you're likely to face as a savvy city dweller — and some tips to keep them from sneaking up on you like wellness whack-a-mole.

More from Body

How To Tell If You Have A Yeast Infection & Get Rid Of It

Yeast infections are the most common type of vaginal infection and up to three out of four people with vaginas will get a yeast infection at some point in

Help R29 & Period Law End The Tampon Tax

We’re getting personal about our periods. The path to menstrual equity starts with talking about it. There’s a lot of feelings around get

by Refinery29 Staff

It’s 2024 — Why Isn’t Every Workplace A Period-Positive One?

We’re getting personal about our periods. The path to menstrual equity starts with talking about it. Debbie Herrera has been working on the influence

by Elizabeth Gulino

5 Women On The Effect Of Having A Good First Period

by Elizabeth Gulino

My Heavy Periods Make Me Feel Like A Social Burden

My Period: We’re getting personal about our periods. The path to menstrual equity starts with talking about it. My heavy, abnormal periods make life

The News About Tampons Is Scary, Let Us Break It Down

Arsenic, lead and other metals have been found in tampons by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. In the study, 30 tampons from 14 brands

by Tanyel Mustafa

R29 Intelligence

Women Athletes Should Never Have To Apologize For Being Competitive

When Alexa Coubal was in eighth grade, a volleyball teammate told her to quit, because she was “too competitive.” Her immediate reaction: “Why are we

by Andrea Cheng

For Black Fat Women, Is The Body Positivity Movement Dead?

Get your obituaries in order folks, because the body positivity movement as we knew it, is dead and gone. Sure, that declaration may be a bit extreme, but

by Stephanie Yeboah

My Miscarriage Was “Common” — For Black Women That Is...

Content warning: This article contains graphic details of miscarriage, pregnancy loss, and the Black Maternal Health crisis. When I was 11, I was convinced

by Kathleen Newman-B...

I Feel Romantic Love Even If My Body Won’t Produce The Hormones

As 21-year-old Toria Christie scrolled through TikTok, she started to cry. “I was so sad when I first saw [those videos],” she tells me. “Like, so sa

What’s The Best Way To Relieve Period Cramps?

For some people, just imagining the pinching, aching, piercing abdominal pangs that come with their period is enough to make them want to assume the fetal

Why Your Period Symptoms Might Be Worse In The Winter

This story was originally published by our partners at The Conversation. Period symptoms are frustrating no matter the time of year. But some women and peo

by Jahnavi Daru