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Open Access 03-05-2024 | Climate Change | Original Article

Perspectives of environmental health officers on climate change adaptation in Australia: a cross-sectional survey

Authors: Tony G. Walter, Lisa K. Bricknell, Robyn G. Preston, Elise G. C. Crawford

Published in: Journal of Public Health

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Abstract

Aim

Climate change adaptation is critical for reducing and preventing many community health risks. The Environmental Health Profession has decades of experience of effective interventions for reducing and preventing many community health risks. However, in Australia adaptation is not included in the profession’s scope of practice leaving the community health at risk to climate change. The aim of this study was to assess the perspectives of Australian Environmental Health Officers concerning climate change health adaptation and whether this should be included in their role.

Subject and methods

Eighty-nine (89) eligible participants undertook a mixed method survey between November 2021 and January 2022. These participants were members of Environmental Health Australia and held a relevant degree in environmental health. The questions on the survey were related to six themed items: (1) climate change and health, (2) climate change adaptation, (3) the profession’s role in capacity building for adaptation, (4) hurdles for building adaptive capacity, (5) health awareness as a bridging concept and finally, (6) disaster risk reduction.

Results

The findings from this study indicate that the majority of participants were concerned for their community health from climate change impacts. A system thinking approach is required to effectively address and understand complex health risks. There was also an overwhelming support for the profession to integrate approaches of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in health. However, the environmental health profession is facing some significant hurdles to building adaptive capacity to climate change.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the environmental health profession does want to have a role in climate change adaptation in Australia. These findings, with further qualitative research, could bolster the preventive public health approach in building community health resilience to climate change and related disasters.
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Metadata
Title
Perspectives of environmental health officers on climate change adaptation in Australia: a cross-sectional survey
Authors
Tony G. Walter
Lisa K. Bricknell
Robyn G. Preston
Elise G. C. Crawford
Publication date
03-05-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Journal of Public Health
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-024-02273-4