Climate change is a current health issue in Australia, and we need to treat it, writes DEA’s Chair Dr Kate Wylie.

As health professionals, we cannot help but see the toll on the physical and mental health of our communities, as well as on vital infrastructure.

Climate change is the most significant health issue of our time, and our sector which is responsible for 7% of Australia’s total emissions has a responsibility to do address this.

All aspects of healthcare contribute to and are affected by climate change.

The federal government’s support last year for a national health and climate strategy and the establishment of a National Sustainable Health Unit is welcome and necessary.

It comes on the back of persistent advocacy by groups such as Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) and the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA).

Taking action will demonstrate to the wider community that we recognise the human health threat and that we are addressing our duty of care to protect human health from climate change.

Dr Kate Wylie is Chair of Doctors for the Environment Australia and chair of the RACGP’s Climate and Environmental Medicine Specific Interest Group

Read the full article in the Medical Republic which was published on 21 November 2022