July is the hottest month of the year in Massachusetts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S., killing more than 700 people every year.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to shine a light on the disease and the importance of regular screening in its prevention. While once the most common cause of cancer death for women, cervical cancer death rates have decreased significantly with greater use of the Pap test, which can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops or detect it early when it is easier to treat.

Now that the warm weather and longer days have arrived, many of us are itching to go enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you’re taking a hike, camping out, or getting the yardwork done, there’s one particular plant you should always try to avoid – poison ivy. Learn how to spot the plant that causes itchy rashes, how to soothe your skin, and when to seek medical attention.

May is Arthritis Awareness Month, a time to draw attention to the painful joint condition that affects close to 60 million in the U.S. Jesse Reisner, DO, a rheumatologist at South Shore Medical Center, answers questions about arthritis causes, symptoms and treatments.