AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that Australia needs a National Strategy for Climate Change and Health to respond effectively to the health impacts of climate change.

The 2009 State of the Climate report, released today by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, confirmed that the past decade was the warmest on record and that the Earth has been growing warmer in the past 50 years.

Dr Pesce said that climate change caused by global warming and greenhouse gas emissions poses significant challenges to the health and wellbeing of Australians.

“This report is further evidence that climate change is happening, that human activity is contributing to it, and that a coordinated health response is needed,” Dr Pesce said.

“Failure on the part of governments internationally to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions is likely to result in significant public health problems.

“Extreme weather events caused by global warming, such as storms, floods, heatwaves and fires, will all have serious long-term health implications for Australians, including increased vector-borne diseases, possible chemical exposures, and fatalities and injuries from extreme weather events.

“These health impacts will place increasing demand on the health system over time.

“Australians of all ages need to be confident that they can continue to receive good quality timely access to their doctor, and other health and medical professionals,” Dr Pesce said.

A National Strategy for Climate Change and Health would assist Governments and the broader community to plan for increased demands on health service infrastructure from extreme events and emerging health conditions due to climate change, and must incorporate:

• Strong communication links between hospitals, major medical centres, and emergency response agencies to maximise the efficient use of health resources in extreme weather events;

• Localised disaster management plans for specific geographical locations that model potential adverse health outcomes in those areas;

• Nationally coordinated surveillance measures to prevent exotic disease vectors from becoming established in Australia; and

• Development of effective interventions to address mental health issues arising from extreme events, including those involving mass casualties, and from longer-term changes, including drought.

CONTACT:    Geraldine Kurukchi        02 6270 5467 / 0427 209 753

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