Here are some of the key special interest groups and committees where DEA members work to influence multi-sector change in Australia.
Air pollution
Biodiversity
Better air quality reduces illness and death from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases, such as asthma. Links to diabetes and impaired infant growth are increasingly recognised. Policies to support reducing the combustion of fossil fuels through cleaner transport and power generation, are needed to reduce key sources of outdoor air pollution. Our Air Pollution Special Interest Group(SIG) members seek to support policies and programs to improve the health of all Australians through better protection of clean air. To get involved contact Dr Ben Ewald or Dr Sujata Allan via admin@dea.org.au.
Find out more about the Air Pollution Special Interest Group
Natural ecosystems support our health by filtering our air, providing fresh water and food, regulating our climate, directly improving human health and protecting against the spread of disease and pests. To get involved contact Dr Brooke Ah Shay via admin@dea.org.au.
Diet and agriculture
Divestment
Food systems generate at least 25% of human GHG emissions, including methane and nitrous oxides. We must now transition to net carbon sequestration, and away from unsustainable land clearing, water extraction, soil wastage, fish depletion and other impacts. This will involve changing our diets. Doctors everywhere are in a strong position to bring about change, advocating diets that are healthier both for patients and for the planet. To get involved contact Dr Michael Schien via admin@dea.org.au.
Find out more about the Diet and Agriculture Special Interest Group
We are health workers and the choice to end any links to fossil fuel assets is an ethical one. Investing in industries that cause harm to human health is incompatible with our duty of care. To get involved contact Dr Helen Redmond via admin@dea.org.au.
Health and Energy
Sustainable healthcare
Health & Energy covers a lot of topics we hear about every day, including Coal, Natural Gas, Renewable Energy, Transport, and The Built Environment. To get involved contact Dr Graeme McLeay via admin@dea.org.au.
Find out more about the Health and Energy Special Interest Group
The carbon footprint of Australia’s healthcare sector is estimated at over 7% of Australia’s total emissions. While every sector needs to play its part to limit global warming and environmental degradation, the healthcare sector has an added responsibility (and opportunity) to lead mitigation of emissions and environmental impacts. To get involved contact Dr Eugenie Kayak via admin@dea.org.au.
Find out more about the Sustainable Healthcare Special Interest Group
First Nations Committee
To find out more contact Dr Georgia Behrens via admin@dea.org.au.