Health profession backs Climate Commission health findings

Australian health professionals, public health bodies and research scientists have released a joint statement on climate change and health in support of the Climate Commission report, The Critical Decade: Climate Change and Health.

?Health professionals and public health bodies hold serious concerns regarding hte impact of climate change upon the public’s health. Further, they are deeply concerned that few Australians are aware of the risks of climate change for their health or the health of their family and community.

Principal health concerns include injuries and fatalities related to severe weather events and heat waves; spread of infectious diseases; water, and food contamination; increased allergic symptoms; respiratory and cardiovascular disease related to worsening air pollution; deteriorating mental health from those experiencing the physical impacts; and population displacement. Climate change will put increasing pressure on already overburdened health services and infrastructure.

According to Professor Fiona Stanley, former Australian of the Year and vocal advocate for the needs of children and their families, “this important new report shows clearly that climate change poses serious risks for the health of Australians, especially for those in our community who are already most vulnerable.” “As an advocate for children and their families it concerns me that children are one of the most vulnerable groups; it is critical that Australians are made aware of the risks to their health and to their family and community,” she said.

President of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Steve Hambleton said, “the AMA shares the view of the Climate Commission that climate change poses a real and imminent threat to the health of Australians.” “The Federal Government must develop a National Strategy for Health and Climate Change to ensure that Australia can respond effectively to the health impacts of climate change, extreme events, and to people’s medium to long-term recovery needs,” he said.

The health profession recognises that with decisive national and international action to control greenhouse gas emissions we can reduce the extent and severity of the harm Australians will suffer. There are also many health gains possible from strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.