Preparing Health Services for Climate Change in Australia

Blashki, Grant; Armstrong, Gregory; Berry, Helen; Weaver, Haylee J.; Hanna, E.; Bi, Peng; Harley, David; Spickett, Jeffery

doi:10.1177/1010539510395121

Cited by 61 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Guiding principles to prepare and plan for health services in anticipation of climate change is essential to a city's sustainability. 35,36 Our study has demonstrated the need to account for weather effects and population demographics in deriving more accurate projections of the long-term demand for emergency ambulance services in Hong Kong. Collecting and promoting long-term surveillance data on morbidity caused by temperature extremes and other potential health issues will improve the characterization of weather-health relationships.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Weather and Age-Gender Effects on the Projection of Future Emergency Ambulance Demand in Hong Kong

Lai

Wong

2012

Asia Pac J Public Health

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An accurate projection for ambulance demand is essential to enable better resource planning for the future that strives to either maintain current levels of services or reconsider future standards and expectations. More than 2 million cases of emergency room attendance in 2008 were obtained from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority to project the demand for its ambulance services in 2036. The projection of ambulance demand in 2036 was computed in consideration of changes in the age-gender structure between 2008 and 2036. The quadratic relation between average daily temperature and daily ambulance demand in 2036 was further explored by including and excluding age-gender demographic changes. Without accounting for changes in the age-gender structure, the 2036 ambulance demand for age groups of 65 and above were consistently underestimated (by 38%-65%), whereas those of younger age groups were overestimated (by 6%-37%). Moreover, changes in the 2008 to 2036 age-gender structure also shift upward and emphasize relationships between average daily temperature and daily ambulance demand at both ends of the quadratic U-shaped curve. Our study reveals a potential societal implication of ageing population on the demand for ambulance services.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Weather and Age-Gender Effects on the Projection of Future Emergency Ambulance Demand in Hong Kong

Lai

Wong

2012

Asia Pac J Public Health

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“…4 Heat waves already place an enormous strain on emergency services and the health sector in general, and the added health burden due to climate change will necessitate investment in health systems coordination, personnel and infrastructure. 5 The need for adaptation is paramount to minimise present and future adverse effects of extreme heat. Health agencies need to formulate public health messages to inform the population about adaptive strategies and to ensure these are promoted by health services.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Older persons and heat-susceptibility: the role of health promotion in a changing climate

Hansen

Nitschke

et al. 2011

Health Promot J Aust

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Issue addressed Many studies world wide have provided evidence that older persons are a sub‐population at increased risk of heat‐related morbidity and mortality. This article gives an overview of the current state of knowledge of risk factors and provides commentary on the role of health promotion in the prevention of a climate change‐related increase in elderly heat casualties. Methods A search of peer‐reviewed medical and epidemiological literature and community health websites was conducted in order to gain an in‐depth understanding of heat‐susceptibility in the elderly and preventive strategies. Key search words included: elderly, aged, older, heat, thermoregulation, heat wave, mortality, heat effects, dehydration, heat‐related illness, adaptation, adaptive capacity. Results The reasons underlying reduced heat tolerance in this group are multi‐faceted, comprising physiological, social and behavioural limitations, with comorbidities and polypharmacy being contributing factors. Additionally, some older persons may be unable or reluctant to undertake adaptations necessary to maintain thermal homeostasis due to diminished awareness of the heat, lowered thirst sensation, mobility or cognitive impairments, a lowered perception of risk, or economic concerns. Conclusion With older persons in poor health being particularly vulnerable to heat, preventive messages need to promote protective behaviours and help build resilience as temperatures rise. So what? Health promotion will play an important part in mitigating a potential climate change‐related increase in morbidity and mortality in Australia's ageing heat‐susceptible population.

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“…The direct and indirect health effects of climate change have been well described, both globally and for Australia 1,8,[18][19][20] (Appendix 1). The measurement and quantification of health effects will enable us to monitor the effectiveness of adaptation and mitigation strategies.…”

Section: Vulnerabilities For Sydney Lhds Arising From Climate Changementioning

confidence: 99%

“…A Above climate or levels of 1986-2005. services across administrative boundaries), strategic allocation of resources (to adapt existing services, prioritise vulnerable groups, ensure equitable access) and robustness (resilient infrastructure, consistent services, sustainable workforce). 20 It also requires a systems approach. 43 The United Nations identifies climate change as a core consideration in disaster risk management.…”

Section: Climate Change Adaptation Options For Sydney Lhdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Local Health Districts can prepare for the effects of climate change: an adaptation model applied to metropolitan Sydney

Rychetnik

Sainsbury

Stewart³

2019

Aust. Health Review

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Climate change adaptation can be defined as a form of risk management (i.e. assessing climate changerelated risks and responding appropriately so that the risks can be pre-emptively minimised and managed as they arise). Adapting to climate change by hospital and community health services will entail responding to changing health needs of the local population, and to the likely effects of climate change on health service resources, workforce and infrastructure. In this paper we apply a model that health services can use to predict and respond to climate change risks and illustrate this with reference to Sydney's Local Health Districts (LHDs). We outline the climate change predictions for the Sydney metropolitan area, discuss the resulting vulnerabilities for LHDs and consider the potential of LHDs to respond. Three 'core business' categories are examined: (1) ambulance, emergency and acute health care; (2) routine health care; and (3) population and preventative health services. We consider the key climate change risks and vulnerabilities of the LHDs' workforce, facilities and finances, and some important transboundary issues. Many Australian health services have existing robust disaster plans and management networks. These could be expanded to incorporate local climate and health adaptation plans.What is known about the topic? There is an inextricable relationship between climate change and human health, with important implications for the delivery of health services. Climate change will affect health service demand, and the resources, workforce and infrastructure of health services. What does this paper add? This paper outlines how local health services can use existing data sources and models for assessing their climate change-related risks and vulnerabilities to predict, prepare for and respond to those risks. This is illustrated with reference to Sydney's LHDs. What are the implications for practitioners? Adaptation to climate change by health services is an important component of risk management. Local health services need to prepare for the effects of climate change by assessing the risks and developing and implementing climate and health adaptation plans.

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Preparing Health Services for Climate Change in Australia

Cited by 61 publications

References 18 publications

Weather and Age-Gender Effects on the Projection of Future Emergency Ambulance Demand in Hong Kong

Weather and Age-Gender Effects on the Projection of Future Emergency Ambulance Demand in Hong Kong

Older persons and heat-susceptibility: the role of health promotion in a changing climate

How Local Health Districts can prepare for the effects of climate change: an adaptation model applied to metropolitan Sydney

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