body bg

Inform-Banner

Climate change, prolonged drought conditions and health : implications for rural Australia

  • Year: 2007
  • Author: McMichael, Tony
  • Journal Name: 9th National Rural Health Conference
  • Publisher: National Rural Health Alliance
  • Published Location: Deakin West, ACT
  • Country: Australia

The issues surrounding climate change and its implications for human health are complex. This presentation considers climate, climate change, the possible relationships to drought and the prospects for future climatic conditions in Australia, and their likely effects on public health. The paper provides some background information about the process of global warming, and describes future scenarios, each dependent on factors such as population growth, economic activity and choices in technology. It argues that we must devise ways of adapting to or lessening adverse impacts of climate change in order to lessen the risks to health. The paper discusses the direct impacts of extreme weather events, changes to biophysical and ecological processes, patterns of land use and other factors that cause social, economic and demographic disruptions. The effects of heat related deaths, the range and seasonality of infectious diseases, changes in food production (affecting choices, nutrition and health) are discussed and the effects of prolonged drought are highlighted, together with related adverse health impacts (including mental health and child emotional development) from environmental changes and associated economic and social stresses.

Related Items

Does regionalization of local public health services influence public spending levels and allocative efficiency?

This paper uses a panel data set of Connecticut communities to offer several empirical insights...

More Than Implementing an Electronic Health Record - Innovation in Tasmanian Community Health

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) commenced a business initiative project called...

Videoconferencing could reduce the number of mental health patients transferred from outlying facilities to a regional mental health unit

To determine if the addition of a video link to the existing phone connection, enabling patients...

Share this with your friends

Footer Logo

Contact Us

Level 2, 53 Blackall Street
Barton ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: 02 6260 3733
or email us