Across Long Island, health and wellness are being shaped by more than just medical care. From concerns about drinking water to climate change and food insecurity, residents are facing a web of environmental and social stressors that affect whole-person well-being.

In Calverton, expanded testing near the former Grumman-Navy site has reignited alarm over PFAS—so-called “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, liver damage and immune dysfunction. “PFAS exposure has been linked to a wide range of health effects, including cancers, liver damage, and immune system disruption,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Climate change is also hitting home. “Winter temperatures on Long Island have risen more than 4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970—faster than the national average,” reports Climate Central. Public health officials warn that warmer winters can extend the range of ticks and mosquitoes, increasing the risk of Lyme disease and other vector-borne illnesses.

Food insecurity is climbing, too. “There are families who have never used food pantries before who are now coming to us for help,” says Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest.

Advocates agree: whole-person health begins with clean water, nourishing food and a stable climate.