What once seemed impossible just 60 years ago, sending humans to the moon, has become reality and expanded knowledge of the universe through extensive space research and missions. In coming decades, lunar visits could become routine for many people. NASA plans for sustained human presence on the moon starting in 2032. This prospect raises an important issue: how will healthcare function on the lunar surface?
The moon lacks conditions suitable for human life. It has no atmosphere, exposing any base to solar and cosmic radiation plus micrometeoroid strikes. Gravity is only one-sixth of Earth’s. Radiation, dust, and temperature extremes ranging from 121°C to -246°C pose serious health risks.
Extended exposure to low gravity, radiation, isolation, and confinement can lead to medical and psychological problems. These may include loss of bone and muscle mass, vision changes, weakened immunity, and mood disorders. Isolation can impair cognition, sleep, and social interactions, potentially causing anxiety, depression, irritability, and reduced focus.
Unusual light cycles on the moon may disturb circadian rhythms, leading to poorer sleep, greater fatigue, and diminished concentration. Over time these factors could impair both performance and emotional stability.
In microgravity the human skeleton loses 1 to 1.5 percent of mineral density each month, raising risks of osteoporosis and kidney stones. Muscles weaken without resistance, and the heart shrinks from reduced workload, causing early fatigue. Cosmic radiation poses further danger, as Earth’s magnetic field no longer provides protection. High-energy particles damage DNA and increase cancer risk while potentially accelerating cognitive decline. Radiation levels on the moon are 78 times higher than on Earth.
Lunar medical care would depend on habitat systems, power, supplies, and transport. Treatment would require self-management beyond basic first aid, with limited equipment and delayed resupply. Repatriation to Earth could take up to 30 days. Non-medical crew would need extensive medical training. Surgery in one-sixth gravity presents major difficulties, as fluids float freely and heavy imaging devices cannot be transported.
The International Space Station has provided diagnostic and treatment facilities since 2000, managing conditions such as eye issues, blood clots, and heart rhythm problems remotely. In January, NASA shortened the SpaceX Crew-11 mission by a month for an undisclosed medical reason.
NASA aims to return humans to the moon soon for scientific and commercial purposes while preparing for Mars missions. Current medical approaches may prove insufficient for future lunar residents, requiring new technologies and specialized training in space medicine.
