Cleveland Clinic launches drone-delivered prescriptions while doctors warn summer heat puts young athletes and older adults at serious risk.
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Clinic is rolling out a new way to get medication to your door: drone delivery.
The program partners with Zipline, using autonomous drones that pick up, fly and drop off prescriptions at a safe, flat spot on a patient’s property. The service costs patients nothing extra and follows the same pharmacy safeguards used for all other prescription deliveries. For now, the service area is limited to a five-mile radius, though Cleveland Clinic has plans to expand it over time. The drone system meets FAA safety and regulatory standards.
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Student Athletes and the Summer Heat
Fall sports are underway, but the summer heat isn’t going anywhere yet, and hydration is critical for student athletes. Skipping water saps energy and focus, and can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, both of which are life-threatening. If an athlete feels dizzy, nauseous or lightheaded, they should stop playing right away and get medical help. Health providers recommend regular water breaks, time in the shade, and hydrating before and after practice, not just during it.
Older Adults Face Added Risk
Heat and hydration are just as critical for older adults, who face their own set of challenges. Aging bodies hold less water, so sweating in the heat drains them faster, and the body struggles to regulate its own temperature. Geriatric specialists say some medications, including certain blood pressure drugs and GLP-1s, can also blunt a person’s ability to sense thirst and manage heat. They recommend drinking water often, taking breaks from the heat, and watching for warning signs like dizziness, fatigue, or dark-colored urine. Dehydration ranks among the top causes of hospital admissions for older adults, making these precautions more than just a summer inconvenience.
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