139903 - Climate Change, Wildfires, Heatwaves and Health Impacts in Australia.pdf (384.74 kB)
Climate Change, Wildfires, Heatwaves and Health Impacts in Australia
chapter
posted on 2023-05-24, 07:20 authored by Nicolas Borchers ArriagadaNicolas Borchers Arriagada, David BowmanDavid Bowman, Andrew PalmerAndrew Palmer, Fay JohnstonFay JohnstonHeat-related extreme events, such as wildfires and heatwaves, have historically imposed a burden on Australian society, and according to rigorous and robust scientific literature, it is expected that there will be increases in frequency, intensity and duration of these types of natural hazards. Within Australia, wildfires and heatwaves are currently responsible for more than 60% of all direct fatalities related to natural hazards, and it is highly likely that this is an underestimation as some health impacts are not routinely quantified (e.g. premature death related to air pollution from wildfire smoke exposure). Deaths attributable to heatwaves and fire smoke pollution are more commonly due to exacerbations of pre-existing health conditions, than to specific direct impacts such as heat stroke. Some groups, such as the elderly, infants and those with pre-existing conditions, tend to be more vulnerable to these impacts. Furthermore, evidence suggests that there are synergistic additional impacts when exposed to high temperature and air pollution, and that probably health impacts are considerably underestimated in the case of some specific groups such as those with occupational chronic exposure to fire smoke. To avoid increases in public health effects, society at all levels needs to increase its adaptive capacity. Measures need to be taken from a planning and management perspective through to community response at a local level, adequately focusing resources to include vulnerable sectors and population groups.
History
Publication title
Extreme Weather Events and Human HealthEditors
R AkhtarPagination
99-116ISBN
978-3-030-23772-1Department/School
Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchPublisher
SpringerPlace of publication
Cham, SwitzerlandExtent
25Rights statement
Copyright 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AGRepository Status
- Restricted