News Releases

Health Risks on Hot Days

July 2019 - With temperatures rising to the high 90s in many areas throughout the summer, the New Mexico Department of Health cautions New Mexicans and visitors to be aware of weather conditions to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat stress which can have many signs and symptoms like dizziness, nausea, cramping, and weakness.

Be Prepared for Wildland Fires and Smoke

June 2019 - Alerts for smoke from wildland fires, prescribed burns, and sometimes related to industrial or structure fires will be issued throughout summer and autumn.

• 06/24/2019 - Department of Health, Environment Department Issue Smoke Advisory for Potential Impacts in Lincoln County, New Mexico
• 06/21/2019 - Smoke Advisory for Potential Impacts to Central and NE New Mexico

New Mexico Department of Health encourages New Mexicans and visitors to protect their health during smoke-causing events. To learn how to use 5-3-1 Visibility Method to assess the air quality and how to protect your health from smoke, visit https://nmtracking.org/fire

Be Prepared for Monsoon Season and Flooding

June 2019 - The New Mexico Department of Health encourages New Mexicans and visitors to prepare for monsoon season, New Mexico's rainy season. Learn more here:

Perfluorinated Compounds: Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are chemicals that have been recently detected in groundwater.

• 05/09/2019 - High Levels of Perfluorinated Compounds in Lake Holloman
• 10/19/2018 - Groundwater Contamination: Detected in Cannon Air Force Base Groundwater

Asthma in New Mexico

New Mexico Department of Health reports uncontrolled asthma leads to nearly 8,000 emergency department visits every year, according to data collected and analyzed from Asthma Emergency Department Visits (2008-2016) by the NMDOH Epidemiology and Response Division.

• 05/06/2019 - New Mexico Department of Health Reports Nearly 8,000 Emergency Department Visits Annually Due to Asthma

Heart Disease is the Leading Cause of Death in New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reports the leading cause of death for both men and women in the state is heart disease - this as the department raises awareness of American Heart Month.

• 01/30/2019 - Heart Disease is the Leading Cause of Death in New Mexico